16 Feb 2009

England cricketers start well in third test

6:41 pm on 16 February 2009

The England cricket captain Andrew Strauss put the disastrous first test behind him as he struck 169 to lead England to an impressive 301 for three at stumps on the first day of the third test at the West Indies in Antigua.

Strauss and fellow opener Alastair Cook put on 123 for the first wicket before Cook went caught by Devon Smith off Chris Gayle's off-spin for 52.

Then Owais Shah struck a smart 57 off 100 balls before he was run out looking for a quick single.

Strauss looked well set to continue his innings into the second day but a tired attempted pull shot near the close resulted in a simple caught and bowled for Fidel Edwards.

The game at the Antigua Recreation Ground had been hastily arranged following the abandonment of the second test on Saturday after just ten balls, when the field at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium was deemed unfit.

West Indies won the first test of the series in Jamaica by an innings after bowling England out for 51 in their second innings.