Nervy England prevail in Cook and Bell story
CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss admitted his relief last night after England survived a scare to start their summer on a winning note with a five-wicket victory in the first Test against West Indies at Lord’s.
A cool stand of 132 from opener Alastair Cook and Ian Bell ushered the hosts towards their second-innings target of 191, but only after England had flirted with a hugely embarrassing defeat.
The early dismissals of Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen, who made just 13 runs apiece, left England four down and needing another 134 to clinch a final-day triumph and take a series lead.
“We’re very happy to have registered a victory,” said Strauss, whose departure for just one on Sunday afternoon set the tone for a nervy run chase.
“Whenever you’re chasing there’s a bit of pressure, so it was an outstanding effort from Cook and Bell. They played in a very classy manner. It got a bit harder, but we had faith the wicket would stay flat and slow.”
Bell (63 not out) hit the winning runs after Cook (79) fell two short of the victory target, but Strauss hailed England’s pace attack, among whom Stuart Broad stood out with 11 match wickets. He added: “The bowlers did outstandingly in very tough conditions, and it wasn’t a formality.”
England have named an unchanged 13-man squad for the second Test, which starts on Friday at Trent Bridge and could see them clinch a series victory.
That prospect looked distant shortly after they resumed yesterday morning on 10-2, when the normally reliable Trott was snared at second slip off Kemar Roach. Home hopes dipped further when Pietersen edged Shannon Gabriel behind, leaving England on 57-4.
But the pitch aided Cook and Bell, who amassed runs with increasing ease. Cook’s edge off West Indies captain Darren Sammy barely delayed the now inevitable, and Bell claimed the decisive four before Jonny Bairstow had even got off the mark.
Sammy was content to have made England battle, with the tourists given little chance before the series began. He said: “We were told no fifth-day tickets were printed, but we showed a never-say-die attitude and produced some good performances.”