West Indies captain Brian Lara throws the ball during practice on the field at Old Trafford, Manchester yesterday. England are due to face the West Indies in the third test starting today. - Reuters
MANCHESTER, England (AP):
ENGLAND ARE up 2-0 against the West Indies as the third Test begins this morning (Ja time) at Old Trafford. England have already retained the trophy in the four-match series.
"But we have to make sure that we win it," said England captain Michael Vaughan.
The home team mauled the Caribbean team by 210 runs and 256 runs, in the first two Tests. Those wins, at Lord's and Edgbaston, took England's streak to seven wins in their past eight matches and lifted them to No. 2 in the Test rankings behind Australia.
"The good thing over the last eight games is that we've played good, consistent cricket when the Test match could go either way," Vaughan said.
One of Vaughan's main game-snatchers as been Lancashire all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, man of the match after his impressive 167 in the second Test.
"He's on the crest of a wave. He's playing exceptionally well," Vaughan said of his 26-year-old star.
"The crowd here will go mad when he goes out to the wicket," the skipper added. "He's just got to try and control his emotions and, if he can do that, the way he's playing he'll get another big score."
West Indies skipper Brian Lara needs an inspirational performance to ward off the possibility of an unprecedented 4-0 sweep at the hands of England.
His previous two Tests at this venue offer encouragement.
PRESSURE
The 35-year-old left-hander, under increasing pressure to remain as leader of the deflated former world champions, hit 87 and 145 back in 1995 and added a fine 112 four years ago.
Lara is just seven runs away from the magical milestone of 10,000 Test runs, a mark only achieved by Australian greats Allan Border (11,174) and Steve Waugh (10,927) and Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar (10,122).
While England's only selection decision will be a choice between pacers James Anderson and Simon Jones, Lara and company could ring the changes in search of improved performances.
Tearaway fast bowler Fidel Edwards, on the back of a 10-wicket match haul against Derbyshire over the weekend, is set for a recall.
"Fidel has added a lot of pace and he's bowling with a lot more control," Lara said. "He looks more confident in himself and hopefully that is going to carry on."
Edwards should replace fellow 22-year-old Jermaine Lawson, who is ruled out because of a left side strain.
There is also an injury doubt surrounding veteran wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs, who missed the final training session because of a sore knee.
CONFIDENT REPLACEMENT
Carlton Baugh, 14 years Jacobs junior at the age of 22, hit an unbeaten 150 against Derbyshire and would be a confident replacement.
Sylvester Joseph, too, has done his chances no harm with consistent scores in the three first-class matches outside the Tests.
The 25-year-old right-hander from Antigua could make his debut, either as a replacement for struggling opener Devon Smith or at No. 6.
The spin choice will be between off-spinner Omari Banks and left-arm wrist spinner Dave Mohammed.
Teams: England (from): Michael Vaughan (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss, Robert Key, Graham Thorpe, Andrew Flintoff, Geraint Jones, Ashley Giles, Matthew Hoggard, Simon Jones, Steve Harmison, James Anderson.euro
West Indies (from): Brian Lara (captain), Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dwayne Bravo, Ridley Jacobs, Omari Banks, Dave Mohammed, Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore, Fidel Edwards, Carlton Baugh Jr., Sylvester Joseph, Dwayne Smith.
