Swann confident despite England stumble

LONDON: Graeme Swann backed England’s remaining top order batsmen to see them to victory after the West Indies came roaring back into the first Test at Lord’s on Sunday.

The tourists started the fourth day 35 runs adrift and facing the prospect of an innings defeat.

However, thanks mainly to Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s 91 – which following his first innings 87, and meant the world’s best batsman had spent more than 10 hours at the crease – and an 86 from Marlon Samuels, they recovered to 345 all out.

That left the hosts needing 191 for victory but before stumps West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach took two wickets for seven runs in eight balls to dismiss first innings century-maker and England captain Andrew Strauss and nightwatchman James Anderson.

England will now resume on 10 for two on the final day with both Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott – fortunate to avoid being lbw to Roach – unbeaten on nought.

“It’s unfortunate to lose the captain, obviously, especially after his hundred in the first innings,” said England off-spinner Swann.

“But it was always going to be a tricky 15 minutes, batting in the gloom, against a world-class bowler like Kemar Roach.

“Luckily, we’ve got through it relatively unscathed. We’ve got Trotty and Cooky at the crease, and we’ll be very confident going into tomorrow that they can see us through.

“The wicket tends to flatten out here, and we hope the ball won’t talk for them – as it didn’t for us today (Sunday).”

Swann, who finished with three for 59, captured the prize wicket of Chanderpaul when he had the lefthander lbw on the sweep.

“It would have been nicer if he’d missed the sweep on 10 or 11, rather than 90-odd after 250 balls,” said Swann.

“But I thought he batted superbly, and the partnership he had with Samuels just shows you that if you go out on that pitch and bat with application and really wait for the bad ball you become incredibly difficult to shift.”

Chanderpaul’s open stance and crab-like shuffle across the crease make him one of the most awkward customers in world cricket.

“He is unique, in the way he bats, very good at getting himself off the strike and just occupying the crease,” Swann said of Chanderpaul. — AFP