Welcome to sportmasta's Blog.: Cricket; Live Reporting

Drinks break over, and the music faded down for a little while, Stuart Broad is back into the attack in place of Tredwell, and it's a tight over from the skipper to Simmons, only a wide and a single to third man from it. Umpire Tucker has a look at the ball, but rules it's OK.
14:49:

Afghans on the rise
Some news from the International Cricket Council - Afghanistan's amazing win over Bangladesh yesterday has propelled them onto the ICC ODI rankings in 12th place. England are 5th. For now.
Derek Pringle, Ex-England all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

"Ashley Giles is one of the favourites for the coach's job, but he won't be a shoo-in if they don't start winning. He's had a tough hand, but they need to start winning some games. They have won one international game in four months."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Henry Shah: Best actor for Broad for not walking at Trent Bridge.
Send your cricket-related Oscar nominations via Twitter to #bbccricket, or via text using 81111 (UK only), or email tms@bbc.co.uk
20 overs:

DRINKS BREAK - WI 71-3
England's spin bonanza continues as Parry is worked for a couple of singles, but England are quite lively in the field and have earned themselves a drinks break. A rather depressed-looking Chris Jordan, left out of the XI today, is carrying the drinks.
Remember, TMS want your questions for "Ask Viv" at the interval - email them in or tweet @bbctms to send your queries to the great man.
Kevin Howells, BBC Test Match Special
"I've never seen a umpire get into the music like the local umpire Joel Wilson, who is wobbling away to the rhythm. Rod Tucker is a lot more statuesque."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.
19 overs:

WI 69-3
We're into the 19th over, and 17 of them have been spin - how often can you say that about an England ODI side? (At this rate, will Tim Bresnan even get to bowl?) Bravo tries to leg-glance Tredwell and they run a leg bye, while Simmons has forsaken his helmet and donned a cap with the spinners on - that's also a rarity in international cricket these days. The leg bye is the only score of the over - so it's two maidens on the trot.
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Jamie Martin: Best Screenplay - ECB & Andy Flower for "Ashes of Winter". Heroes, villains and an inspiring story of how arrogance backfires.
18 overs:

WI 68-3
There's plenty of dancing in the stands and on the grassy banks, by English and West Indian fans alike, as Parry begins his fourth over, while there's someone in a full Iron Man suit in the pitchside pool. Parry hops and skips in, but he keeps Simmons under wraps and that's the Lancastrian's first maiden over in international cricket.
Graeme Swann, Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"What the Windies guys, who have come in, have done really well is that they have attacked the spin. They've played a couple of big shots, Bravo in particular."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
17 overs:

WI 68-3
Cap'n Broad shuffles his field, just the minimum five in the circle as Tredwell begins a new over to Bravo, who attempts a sweep, they run one but it's signalled as a wide. Simmons taps a single past the non-striker, Bravo rotates the strike and Simmons nurdles one to square leg. Tredwell has 0-20 from four overs, though 13 of those runs came in his third over.
Join the debate at #bbccricket

Ben Thapa: Lifetime achievement award - Andy Flower (as player and triple Ashes-winning coach): Best supporting actor: Steven Smith.
It's Oscars night tonight, so we're asking for your nominations on the best - and worst - the cricket world had to offer in 2013.
16 overs:

WI 63-3
Debutant Parry (who is wearing ODI shirt number 73, by the way) is cut for four by the powerful Simmons. who made 65 on Friday and has started well today. But Parry does well to keep it tight for the rest of the over.
Graeme Swann, Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"That's was a very good over for West Indies and unusually high scoring off Tredwell. Simmons capitalised on a couple that were too short and Bravo came down the track, got to the pitch beautifully and smashed it, Lara-esque, over the long-on boundary. It was a gorgeous shot."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
15 overs:

WI 59-3 (DM Bravo 11*, Simmons 18*)
Simmons threads a four through cover point, the outfield is quick and Moeen Ali gives chase but can't prevent the boundary. Tredwell responds by switching to bowling over the wicket but it's too short again and Simmons attempts the same shot - Moeen stops it in front of the rope on this occasion and they run three. Bravo attempts his lofted on-drive again, and this time it's into the stand for six. Probably West Indies' best over so far - 13 from it.
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Howard Horner: Best actor - whoever was impersonating Prior during the Ashes. Because it can't have ACTUALLY been him... Right?
14 overs:

WI 46-3

Stephen Parry in for his second over, Simmons adds a single to his score and Bravo attempts another lofted drive which reaches long-on on the second bounce. A single takes Simmons to 11.
Parry is a Manchester City fan - if you want to follow them in the League Cup final, feel free to take a look at the live text commentary which Tom Rostance is tapping away in the seat behind me - but I won't give away any latest score "spoilers" for those of you who may be looking to avoid it for now.
Text 81111
Will, London: Best short film: Graeme Swann in Australia.
Keep your Oscar nominations and Razzies shouts coming!
13 overs:

WI 43-3 (DM Bravo 4*, Simmons 9*)
Tredwell has two slips in for the leftie Bravo, and after the Kent man started with eight dot balls, Bravo goes aerial, launching a steepler over mid-on's head and they run two as Broad runs back but it's out of his reach as he tries to take the catch running back over his shoulder. But another tight over by Tredwell.
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Josh Payne: These dismissals are softer than KP's Ashes giveaways!
Tony Cozier, BBC Test Match Special
"Look through the records for the regional competitions for last 15 years and you'll see that spinners dominate. The pitches do not favour the fast bowlers."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
12 overs:

WI 41-3
It's time for the debutant - Stephen Parry, who England fans will hope has a better introduction to international cricket than his fellow Lancashire left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan, who had a Test debut to forget at The Oval last summer. Simmons adds a single and a leg slip is brought in for the left-handed Bravo, who is off the mark with a tickle to fine leg. Simmons rotates the strike, Bravo guides one to deep square leg and Parry's first over has yielded four singles.
Graeme Swann, Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"Parry has a good one-day record and knows the one-day game as opposed to a limited first-class career. This is his game and he's coming on at a very good time for England."
11 overs:

WI 37-3
Having taken that catch, James Tredwell - England's number one spinner in this side - is into the attack, and Dwayne Bravo is facing for the first time, having been in for two or three overs. And Tredders doesn't disappoint as he spins down a maiden to Bravo.
14:08:

Ask Viv
Looking ahead to the interval, Test Match Special are hosting an "Ask Viv" session between the innings today. They want your questions for the legend that is Sir Vivian Richards, so get your questions in to TMS by emailing tms@bbc.co.uk (with "Ask Viv" in the subject line), or tweeting them @bbctms - thanks in advance.
10 overs:

WI 37-3
Simmons sweeps Moeen for four - as Graeme Swann points out on TMS, if he misses that he's plumb lbw - but otherwise it's a tight over.
Graeme Swann, Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"It's like Groundhog Day, the same ground and virtually the same team apart from Stephen Parry. We were surprised that Broad bowled but it's paying off so far. They will be hoping that today they can really capitalise."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.
9 overs:

WI 33-3
Lendl Simmons is the new man - England have two new batsmen to bowl at. Simmons nudges a two off his legs and takes a single off the last ball, his partner Bravo is yet to face.
Graeme Swann, Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"Tredwell has one of the best pairs of hands in the England squad. The ball was there to drive but there was no foot movement, but Tredwell had no right to catch that. The spinners are on a roll."
8.2 overs:

WICKET- Edwards c Tredwell b Root 9 (WI 30-3)

Darren Bravo is the new batsman, he looks on as Edwards nibbles at Root and edges a catch to James Tredwell who takes it brilliantly one-handed at slip!
This match is starting to mirror the first ODI, when West Indies slipped to 40-3 and then 45-4, although it all went wrong for England after that...
Sir Viv Richards, Ex-West Indies captain on BBC Test Match Special
"I think Powell will be very disappointed with that shot. The ball held up in the track and credit to Ali for getting it into the right area and inducing him into that shot."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
8 overs:

WICKET- Powell c & b Moeen 16 (WI 30-2)

Powell comes down the pitch to Moeen and drills a single to Bresnan who's now down at long-off, after dropping that catch at leg slip. Edwards guides a two off his legs as debutant Parry gives chase, then tips-and-runs a quick single to mid-off. The Windies pair are trying not to get bogged down against the two off-spinners, adding two more singles - but Powell, trying to force the pace, gives up a return catch to the delighted Moeen.
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Angela: Best newcomer award undoubtedly has to go to Ben Stokes!
It's Oscars night tonight, so we're asking for your nominations on the best - and worst - the cricket world had to offer in 2013.
7 overs:

WI 24-1
There's barely a cloud in the sky in Antigua, many of the England fans there are already working on their suntans (don't forget the sun cream!) as Root begins a new over, and three singles mean the young Yorkshireman has 1-12 from his four overs.
Email tms@bbc.co.uk
Ben Woolley: Best new actor(s) - Afghanistan.
6 overs:

WI 21-1
It's off-spin from both ends as the splendidly-bearded Moeen Ali is into the attack, and it should do wonders for England's over-rate as Moeen whistles through his over, the first ball is a full toss which Powell whacks for a single but the Worcestershire man redeems himself with five dot balls.
Email tms@bbc.co.uk
Nicholas Rowe, Finland: Who is Stephen Parry? Looking at the picture, he is the double of Ronnie O'Sullivan... let's hope he 'rockets' through the Windies line-up.
As we're talking about the Oscars today, I have to ask... are you the Nicholas Rowe who played the title character in the 1985 film "Young Sherlock Holmes"?!
5 overs:

WI 20-1 (Powell 11*, Edwards 4*)
Edwards pushes Root for a couple through the covers, two more singles mean the Windies continue their four-an-over progression.
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Chris Baker: Worst performance surely Alastair Cook's captaincy. Useless. Should have resigned as skip and man-managed Pietersen better.
If you're just joining us and are wondering what we're on about, it's the Oscars tonight - keep your nominations coming.
4 overs:

WI 16-1
Broad begins a new over, and has Powell prodding at thin air with two predatory slips awaiting that outside edge. But the left-hander reaches double figures with an assured off-driven four straight out of the MCC coaching manual. Steady.
3 overs:

DROPPED CATCH- WI 12-1
Kirk Edwards is the new batsman, the slip has been joined by a leg slip. Edwards tries to guide one down the leg side and Tim Bresnan at leg slip gets a finger to it but can't hold on... having anticipated the ball would go to his left, he started to dive left but then had to change direction as the ball went to his right. So Edwards is off the mark with a single, Powell moves to six.
Sir Viv Richards, Ex-West Indies captain on BBC Test Match Special
"I guess thinking back to that debate we had earlier about whether Joe Root should open the bowling, that was the reason he did again today. It was cleverly bowled, and his shot suggested that Dwayne Smith did not know what he wanted to do, and in the end he gave a very easy catch to short mid-wicket."
2.1 overs:

WICKET- Smith c Wright b Root 5 (WI 10-1)

And Root strikes as Smith leans forward and chips a catch to Luke Wright at short mid-wicket.
Sir Viv Richards, Ex-West Indies captain on BBC Test Match Special
"If Root continues to go at three an over, that would be miserly sort of stuff and I think he would continue, slowing the progress of Smith and Powell."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
2 overs:

APPEAL - NOT OUT- WI 10-0
Captain Stuart Broad takes the second over - I thought he rather under-bowled himself on Friday, only sending down six overs and not bringing himself back when the chips were down in the last 10 overs. (I don't think I was alone in that view). Smith plays and misses, but then times the ball well by pushing a three through point which is only just stopped in front of the rope by the diving Ben Stokes. Powell is hit on the pad, there's an appeal... but Broad opts against using England's only DRS review. Just as well, as it pitched outside leg stump. A flashing cut shot brings Powell the first boundary of the innings.
Email tms@bbc.co.uk
Jack Harrison, Archway: I'd have to say my nomination for 'Best Original Song' would be the Aussies singing 'Under the Southern Cross I Stand' on the wicket at the end of the Fifth Ashes Test. Thoroughly disheartening and irritating though it was for this Englishman, the passion and camaraderie they showed in that moment summed up why Test cricket is such a special game.
1 over:

WI 3-0
Young Root, bowling his right-arm off-spin over the wicket with a slip in, is clubbed for a single to deep mid-wicket by the right-handed Dwayne Smith. Meanwhile, the left-handed Kieran Powell flicks a single off his legs. A third gentle single rounds off a tidy over.
Umpires today, by the way, are Australia's Rod Tucker and Trinidad's Joel Wilson (not to be confused with BBC Sport's own Joe Wilson), with South Africa's Marais Erasmus on TV replays.
13:29:

As on Friday, Joe Root is going to take the new ball for England. We're ready to go.
Join the debate via text using 81111
Tony Coco, London: The Razzies are much more fun. Surely Alastair Cook has to be nominated for an abysmal Ashes performance worthy of a box load of rotten tomatoes.
Keep your Oscar nominations and Razzies shouts coming!
13:27:

The crowd is building up in Antigua, plenty of people have dressed up in their finery after coming to the game after going to church.
Tony Cozier, BBC Test Match Special
"I think it was predictable that Nikita Miller would have to come in. Jason Holder answered questions about his own selection with a pretty shoddy display on Friday."
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Sudip Bhaduri: Best director, Darren Lehmann for getting his cast spot on! Best actress, Charlotte Edwards, what a superstar!
13:26:

Who is Stephen Parry?

Stephen Parry is a 28-year-old graduate of Lancashire's academy who turned out for Cumberland before making his first-class debut for Lancs in 2007. To say he's a one-day specialist would be an understatement, having played 54 List A one-day games and 56 Twenty20s so far in his career, compared to just six first-class outings.
A left-arm spinner, Parry has taken 65 wickets in those 54 limited-overs games at an average of 28.93, with an economy rate of 4.98 and a best return of 5-17. A right-handed batsman, Parry averages 14.80 at a strike rate of 79.85.
Derek Pringle, Ex-England all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special
"I was little bit surprised England put West Indies in again with three spinners in the side. I was surprised they made the same decision the other day. I've never seen Stephen Parry bowl a ball - just in the nets. I did make a few enquires about him when he got picked. His selection over Samit Patel surprised me."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Sam: Best makeup and hairstyling goes to: Shane Warne. Worst actor in a supporting role goes to: Jade Dernbach.
13:21:

Elsewhere in the world of cricket... it's raining in where Australia are 494-7 against South Africa on day two of the deciding third Test, with Michael Clarke unbeaten on 161. In the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, India made 245-8 against Pakistan from their 50 overs, and Pakistan 91-1 in the 15th over in reply. And let's not forget to salute an outstanding landmark win yesterday as Afghanistan beat Bangladesh, their first win over an ICC full member.
Email tms@bbc.co.uk
Aussie Stew: Best Picture... Michael Clarke holding up the Ashes!
I might have known an Aussie would get in first! Keep your Oscar nominations coming!
13:16:

LIVE NOW
Test Match Special have taken to the airwaves. Pin your ears back for some pearls of wisdom from Simon Mann, Tony Cozier, Kevin Howells, Sir Viv, Graeme Swann and Derek Pringle.
You can listen via BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 LW, via the BBC Sport website, and via the BBC iPlayer Radio app and the BBC Sport app.
I'd love to know if anyone's following us from the League Cup final at Wembley?
13:14:

Team line-ups
West Indies: Dwayne Smith, Kieran Powell, Kirk Edwards, Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Bravo (capt), Denesh Ramdin (wk), Darren Sammy, Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul, Nikita Miller.
England: Michael Lumb, Moeen Ali, Luke Wright, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad (capt), James Tredwell, Stephen Parry.
So we're likely to see plenty of spin today, with Narine (against whom England struggled on Friday) and Miller for West Indies, and Messrs Tredwell, Parry, Root and Ali for England.
13:11:

And for a bit of fun, let's not forget the Golden Raspberry Awards (aka the "Razzies"), which precede the Oscars and are given out for worst actor, worst film etc. I'm sure there are plenty of "worst" performances over the last 12 months you could nominate...
13:07:

Get involved
We thought we'd have a bit of fun today, given that it's the Oscars tonight, As well as your usual texts, tweets and emails on the game, I want your nominations for the best performances in the cricketing world from the last 12 months or so. Text us on 81111 if you're in the UK, email tms@bbc.co.uk (with "For Mark Mitchener" in the subject line), or tweet us via #bbccricket if you so desire.
I'll start you off with a couple. Best Performance in a Leading Role - Brendon McCullum, who's been very impressive since taking over as New Zealand skipper, both as a batsman and a captain. And Best Performance in a Supporting Role - anyone who shelled out hard-earned cash to follow England in the Ashes down under.
England captain Stuart Broad: "We're desperate for a win but we're not thinking too far ahead, we want to get the first 10 overs right and then go from there. We had some big positives from Friday with Michael [Lumb] and hopefully he continues with his fantastic form."
Graeme Swann, Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
On Twitter: I've promised Colly that I'll give him a signal if Sunderland score/win today. Any suggestions as to what this signal should be?
Swanny's a Newcastle fan, as you might know. I wonder what he makes of Alan Pardew's headbutt yesterday?
13:02:

TOSS & TEAM NEWS
Stuart Broad calls "heads" correctly - England win the toss and field. Spinner Stephen Parry makes his debut, with paceman Chris Jordan omitted.
Windies captain Dwayne Bravo is happy as he wanted to bat first. They make one change - "the left-arm spinner" (by which I presume he means Nikita Miller, though he doesn't name him) replaces giant pace bowler Jason Holder.
13:01:

News of the toss as we get it - but we're hearing from our colleagues at Test Match Special that Lancashire spinner Stephen Parry will be making his England debut.
13:00:

Let's be positive though - there were some promising signs from England, as openers Michael Lumb (106) and Moeen Ali (44) didn't look as though they were only making their ODI debuts, while James Tredwell bowled very well (as did Joe Root until he was kept on an over too long).
And a bit of news you may not have heard - Ian Bell has been summoned to the Caribbean to reinforce the T20 squad because of the injuries to Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan. Even though he's not played a T20 international since 2011...
12:55:

Afternoon, everyone. England's "ODI series with a mostly-T20 squad, mostly" continues apace today, with the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua playing host to the second ODI in a three-match series.
If England's performances in the Ashes and one-dayers in Australia are still keeping you awake at night in a cold sweat, I'm afraid it was more of the same in the first game on Friday as they surrendered a strong position when well placed in both innings. Surely it must beg better soon?

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Sunday, 2 March 2014

Cricket; Live Reporting

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