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Agnew column
8 May 2009, 5:16 pm

England v West Indies 1st Test

Lord's, 6-10 May

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By Jonathan Agnew

BBC cricket correspondent







Players need to be properly prepared, and the conditions right, for Test cricket to thrive

Some welcome West Indian resistance from Denesh Ramdin and Brendan Nash, of which there had previously been precious little, made England work for their victory - and showed their colleagues what could be achieved by application and tight technique.

But a three-day game will cost the England and Wales Cricket Board a small fortune, not in ticket refunds because they are insured, but in goodwill from what would have been the largest crowd of the game.

There has been a lot of debate about these early games, and they form a central part of their broadcasting contract, but this early finish must surely make the administrators think again about the timing of this Test match - and also the Wednesday start.

I have written already about the need for the integrity of Test cricket to be paramount, and will not go there again now, but the players need to be properly prepared, and the conditions right, for Test cricket to thrive and give the best possible account of itself.

A strong wind blowing straight down the ground gave Andrew Strauss a dilemma because the slope helped Graeme Swann's off- spin at the Pavilion End, but that meant the pacemen had to struggle into the wind.

Even Graham Onions, who is full of confidence now, found the blustery conditions difficult to deal with - and it might have been wise for Onions and Stuart Broad to have bowled from shorter run ups, which is often the best way to counter a strong wind.

However, the selectors will feel their changes have been justified.

Ravi Bopara's century showed great promise. The Australians will be a far sterner test, but to have scored runs in the pivotal number three position at the first time of asking is all that could be asked of him.

It was interesting to see Bopara given Ian Bell's position at silly point, too.

Onions is an uncomplicated bowler and already drawing comparisons with Glenn McGrath. It is a bit early for that, but his action and pace are similar.

There can be little better than make your debut in these conditions against an ill-at-ease West Indies team - and he could fill his boots next week on his home ground.

Only Tim Bresnan will feel that he did little to advance his reputation. Strongly built, he looks like an old fashioned Yorkshire seamer and will he hope that, come Chester-le-Street, he gets among the wickets.



Source: BBC Sport | Cricket | World Edition