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Rediff.com  » Cricket » West Indies hang on for series win over England

West Indies hang on for series win over England

March 11, 2009 06:30 IST
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West Indies hung on dramatically with just two wickets left for a series-winning draw against England in the final Test on Tuesday to claim the Wisden Trophy for the first time since 1998.

West Indies, who win the five-Test series 1-0, were 90 for six before skipper Chris Gayle, batting with a hamstring injury, survived 13 overs along with wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.

Gayle went lbw to spinner Monty Panesar, leaving Ramdin with tailender Daren Powell who survived until 13 minutes of play remained when he was bowled by James Anderson.

Fidel Edwards held on with Ramdin to ensure West Indies finished on 114 for eight and frustrated a spirited England bowling attack.

James Anderson and Graeme Swann were again the pick of the England bowlers, claiming three wickets each while Panesar was a constant threat.

In the morning session, England rattled up 237 for six declared by lunch thanks to 102 in 92 balls from Kevin Pietersen and a lively 61 by wicketkeeper Matt Prior to give themselves a chance of an unlikely victory they came so close to.

REAL INTENSITY

England did everything they could to try and force a win that would have ensured they kept hold of the trophy -- batting positively and then bowling and fielding with real intensity.

The early breakthroughs came before tea with openers Devon Smith (17) and Lendl Simmons (8) dismissed along with the prized wicket of Ramnaresh Sarwan.

That set up a tense last session for the hosts who went in on 78 for three at tea in the Queen's Park Oval.

It quickly became clear West Indies were in deep trouble when Shivnarine Chanderpaul (6) was trapped leg before by off-spinner Swann -- the left-hander using up his team's last referral in vain on what was a tight call.

Brendan Nash, who like Chanderpaul made a century in the first innings, was next to go, also leg before, to the lively bowling of James Anderson for one.

Ryan Hinds (20) was then adjudged to have been caught by Paul Collingwood, taking his third catch of the innings, off Panesar.

Then came the resistance led by Ramdin, on his home ground, who survived 87 balls, making just 17 runs, but occupying precious time at the crease.

The series triumph was based on a win over England at Sabina Park, Kingston on February. 7, when the tourists were dismissed for just 51.

West Indies nearly collapsed in similar fashion this time but in the end, after all the sweating, they celebrated their first series success in five years.

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Source: REUTERS
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