Sammy and Strauss star in a tale of two captains

There are few finer sights in Test cricket than a full Trent Bridge basking in perfect sunshine. The verdant green of the sward in the foreground, a sky above so clear the Gods must have washed it of impurities and a knowledgeable, delightful crowd of cricket lovers burbling in appreciation in the background.

What a joy, these isles at their summer finest and how necessary after a wet, dull spring season. So thank goodness West Indies turned up and fought.

After the first session on Friday, as wickets tumbled there was a fear that this Test match would be as damp a squib as the recent weather but a combative Marlon Samuels and a buccaneering Darren Sammy ensured there was spirit in this contest. Both reached centuries, Samuels on Friday evening and Sammy early yesterday and both are fine examples of men trying their very best.

Samuels was also excellent at Lord’s last week but there are too many questions about Sammy’s abilities to see this innings as vindication of his selection as captain. It was his first Test century which is a poor return from 26 matches, only his second first-class century and, with a Test average before this match of fewer than 20, it is hard to argue a case for him.

He bowls a bit, but that is all. The truth is, if West Indies cricket was not suffering internecine warfare that would make Yorkshire blush, then he would not be in the side. However, they are, he is and he should be commended for his resilience and desperate attempts as captain to try and create a team from a bunch of individuals.

That is why his smile as an attempted whip through midwicket lopped over a diving Ian Bell at gully off an awful edge to bring up the hundred was such a marvellous moment. He has been pilloried, questioned, doubted and sometimes abused but, through it all, has tried his best for West Indies cricket.

Not that it should be enough. England were clinical in wrapping up the West Indies in the morning, taking the last four wickets for 66 runs which, on such a placid and batsman-friendly pitch, was excellent work by the bowlers. Tim Bresnan was the main beneficiary, picking up three wickets in his spell to make four for the innings. It should help as his place was in question after a lacklustre showing at Lord’s but he was a little fortunate and Steven Finn must surely play soon. Sammy, still pumped with adrenalin from his century, mistimed a pull shot to Kevin Pietersen on the boundary, Samuels swung himself off his feet but only succeeded in slashing to James Anderson at gully and the rest was a mop up job. The final total was 370 which, considering West Indies had been 136-6, was a fine achievement but, by mid-afternoon, the England batsmen had put it in perspective. Par score on this wicket and these conditions was 450 minimum but Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen will have designs on something much greater. Both are well set and look in total command of their games. Strauss added a second century of the summer with his usual lack of fuss and Pietersen is well on the way to one but, in contrast to his more understated captain, his is full of daring scoops over the wicket-keeper, dismissive hits and simply gorgeous strokeplay.

If West Indies do not take early wickets today then this could become a huge total. It would help if Kemar Roach would stop bowling no-balls. Twice he had Alastair Cook dismissed caught behind, once just before lunch and once just after and both times the third umpire gave the batsman a reprieve. There is no excuse for a bowler. The line does not waver or move so run up and land the correct side of it. Roach has form in this department as last winter he dismissed MS Dhoni twice in the same over only for his over-stepping to cost him. How many times does a man have to make the same mistake? It was compounded by the dismissive manner in which Pietersen dealt with Sammy and the off-spinner, Shane Shillingford. Pietersen can be impetuous and, for all his bravado, is quite an insecure character but the one thing he can do is sniff the cricketing wind and know when and whom to attack.

Sammy has a problem because the two bowlers needed to offer control for his team are himself and Shillingford and Pietersen, knowing this has deliberately targeted them.

Only Ravi Rampaul prospered with the two wickets to fall. He bowled a disciplined line, gave away nothing and swung the ball both ways but he cannot stop England on his own. If the sun rises early in the morning the West Indies bowlers will groan in fear at a very long day ahead.