The Overture Overs: England in West Indies, 2019

[Ray de Galles]

I would still make a case for St John's being a nice ground and location, plus the history of Viv's centuries there.

In addition to UA’s point about it not being the current Test venue, it’s almost derelict now - despite being used for club football every week.

You can still sense what a lovely ground it was and could be again but last time I was there I was wondering how much work it would need to be passed fit to host a Test again.

Perhaps most poignantly of all, this is the sign for the Andy Roberts Stand ;



Then again, the Coolidge (nee Stanford) Ground was abandoned and in a very sorry state when I first went to the island in 2015 and that’s now looking good and hosting domestic matches - though it’s a far smaller, newer ground which would have required much less repair and upgrading.

[Etienne]

I've ripped off my Best Caribbean (better Satchmo?) XI ever thread for the Guardian OBO.

[ursus arctos]

I have a very strong feeling that there is a depressingly common story of political and financial corruption behind the effective abandonment of St. John's for cricket. As the Stanford saga made clear, Antigua is dodgy even by Caribbean standards.

[Kevin S]

Yes, Jimmy!

[Kevin S]

Ooh, c&b!

[Ray de Galles]

Proper old collapse for the West Indies there, frustrating as it’s the first session I could watch in full!

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

That was a cracking day's play.

[Satchmo Distel]

264-8 is not a disaster for WI if their bowling can create pressure. My fear would be they will leak boundaries and England will fly along at 4+ an over.

Antigua is indeed a sad case given its potential. I got married there and the Viv, Roberts, Ambrose, Richardson connection also makes it a very special place, not to mention the immense natural beauty. OTOH you get clues to the brutality on which it was founded when you see the old sugar mills and scars of slavery.

My understanding of the politics is that resembles a Trump-like kleptocracy.

[Kevin S]

Jennings gone.

[Kevin S]

30-1 at lunch.

[Kevin S]

Top three all gone. Standard.

[Ray de Galles]

44/4, Root out for 4.

[Kevin S]

Hmmm. It's not an ideal position, this.

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

289 now looking like a very decent total

[Kevin S]

Ffffuuuuu...

[Ray de Galles]

.........ck!

[Gangster Octopus]

Still need forty, with three wickets left, to avoid the follow-on...

[Greenlander]

Well this is pleasingly retro from the Windies.

[Greenlander]

Since 2009 anyway.

[Etienne]

England do this occasionally don't they. Once per series.

[diggedy derek]

Perfectly set up, now, for Curran to score 130no.

[Ray de Galles]

I was just thinking that someone is bound to frustrate the West Indies here.

[diggedy derek]

Foakes gone. This match is all over.

[Ray de Galles]

Complete carnage.

[ursus arctos]

Don't underestimate Windies' ability to waste this position.