Sarwan, Russell put Windies back on top: WI 217/6

Tags: World Cup 2011, England v West Indies 36th Match at Chennai - Mar 17, 2011, England, West Indies, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Ramnaresh Ronnie Sarwan, Andre Dwayne Russell

Published on: Mar 17, 2011

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The crucial Group B encounter between England and the West Indies was on a knife's edge after the English bowlers struck in quick succession at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.

The crucial Group B encounter between England and the West Indies was on a knife's edge after the English bowlers struck in quick succession at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.

Earlier, Chris Gayle's dynamite bust in West Indies' chase of 244 as the swashbuckling opener hit England bowlers to all round the ground before getting out to James Tredwell.

But the departure of the marauding Gayle had a little effect on in-coming Darren Sammy, who promoted himself as a pinch-hitter and started to take the attack to the opposition from the word go.

It could also be considered a tactical move by the West Indies team management as Sammy at that point virtually negated the off breaks from both Graeme Swann and Tredwell, hitting them for maximums whenever the ball pitched in his zone.

The Windies' skipper fell when he tried to cut Ravi Bopara outside the off stump, ultimately being bowled off an inside edge.

Earlier, Luke Wright's 44 on World Cup debut stemmed a middle-order collapse and helped England post a defendable total of 243 in their must-win match.

Wright hit five fours coming in at No. 7 on Thursday to save a struggling England after Andrew Strauss had opted to bat first.

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