London: England batsman Ian Bell has underscored the need to get Shivnarine Chanderpaul`s wicket early on the fourth day as the hosts go in search of a comprehensive victory over the West Indies in the first Test at Lord`s.
Chanderpaul was holding up England`s march towards victory at the end of day three Saturday, as West Indies finished on 120 for four, still requiring 35 more runs to make England bat again.
The veteran left-hander was unbeaten on 34 and was involved in a 55-run fifth wicket partnership with Marlon Samuels on 26.
"We knew we had to work hard, even more so to get Chanderpaul out in that middle order - in the series, let alone in this innings," said Bell, who stroked 61 Saturday as England were bowled out for 398 in their first innings.
"It would have been nice (to get Chanderpaul out). But it is Test cricket against the number-one batsman in the world, so we expected him to fight against our attack."
For the umpteenth time in his decorated career, Chanderpaul was pressed into a rescue mission after West Indies endured a 10-minute period before tea to lose their way.
Cruising at 36 without loss in their second innings, West Indies lost three wickets for no runs off nine deliveries, to stumble to the tea break on 36 for three.
Adrian Barath fell for 24, Kieran Powell made eight while vice-captain Kirk Edwards was run out without scoring. Barath made 21 in a 29-run fourth wicket stand with Chanderpaul before falling.
Brief scores:
West Indies 243 all out (Shivnarine Chanderpaul 87 not out, Adrian Barath 42, Marlon Samuels 31, Darren Bravo 29; Stuart Broad 7-72, James Anderson 2-59) and 36 for three (Adrian Barath 24) and 120 for four (Shivnarine Chanderpaul 34 batting, Marlon Samuels 26 batting, Adrian Barath 24, Darren Bravo 21; Graeme Swann 1-21)
England 398 (Andrew Strauss 122, Ian Bell 61, Jonathan Trott 58, Kevin Pietersen 32, Graeme Swann 30, Alistair Cook 26; Shannon Gabriel 3-60, Kemar Roach 3-108, Darren Sammy 2-92).
IANS
First Published: Sunday, May 20, 2012, 14:53