Broad’s in a rage as Nash grabs century

Needing quick wickets to revive their hopes of winning the Test and levelling the series against West Indies, Broad and the rest of Andrew Strauss's attack struggled in vain while Brendan Nash completed a maiden century in his seventh match.

Broad put in plenty of effort but earned nothing but a ticking-off from umpire Daryl Harper after showing his dismay when a bouncer just over Nash's head was signalled wide'.

Strauss moved in to usher the young paceman away but there was no moving Nash. The 31-year-old No6, who was born in Australia of Jamaican parents, has batted determinedly throughout this series. But having reached 70 by last night after being dropped on 19, the little left-hander played some cracking shots today to complete a 234-ball hundred with 17 boundaries.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul appeared to be missed by keeper Matt Prior off Monty Panesar and, to add to England's troubles, Chris Gayle — who retired hurt yesterday on 100 with a hamstring injury — insisted he would resume his innings if necessary.
But at 419 for four, West Indies were doing well enough without their captain — only 127 behind.

The way things are going, Broad and Co may have only one threat left to hurl at West Indies by tonight -— just wait until we get you back home.
England have tried eight front-line bowlers in this series but beaten their heads against a brick wall every time to stand on the brink of defeat after losing the opening match, in ghastly fashion, in Jamaica a month ago.

No wonder, then, given so many lifeless pitches, that Broad and his fellow pacemen are starting to dream of the greener grass of home — and May's return series.

"You are playing for your country so you are always going to try to get wickets but it is quite disheartening when the ball is not doing anything and it is so good for batsmen," said Broad.

"The wickets have been terrible. Throughout the series it has not been a fair battle between bat and ball. This will make us use the ball wisely in England when it swings and seams."

Conditions are likely to be more encouraging for pacemen in a couple of months, if not at Lord's then certainly in Chester-le-Street where West Indies complete their two-Test away series.

But the fact remains England must find a way to make progress with the ball on unresponsive surfaces to become a real force. And they cannot afford to miss even half-chances.

England escaped lightly yesterday from Paul Collingwood's failure to hold a slip catch when Ramnaresh Sarwan edged Panesar — the home team's No1 batsman falling leg before just minutes later to debut-maker Amjad Khan.

But Strauss's miss at silly point when Nash had scored 19 and West Indies were still 103 runs away from saving the follow-on not only denied Panesar for a second time but also proved costly for England.