Port-Of-Spain, Trinidad, Mar 23: Fast bowler Simon Jones took five wickets as England moved to the brink of victory on a dramatic fourth day of the second Test against West Indies. West Indies had fought back strongly before the tourists, chasing a target of just 99, finished on 71 for two, 28 runs away from a 2-0 lead in the four-match series yesterday as they seek victory in the Caribbean for the first time since 1968.
Mark Butcher was unbeaten on 33 at the close with Nasser Hussain on five after a day in which 16 wickets fell.
It had looked as if west indies might set a testing target thanks to a fine knock of 70 by wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs, elevated above captain Brian Lara in the order.
But after his departure and Lara's dismissal for eight, the hosts collapsed to 209 all out, their last seven wickets falling for 51 runs.
Having taken the last four England wickets for four runs, including Graham Thorpe for 90, to bowl out the tourists for 319, West Indies made a sound start to their second innings as Chris Gayle and Devon Smith added 34 for the first wicket.
Gayle, top-scorer in the first innings with 62, hit four boundaries and looked set for another useful score until Jones got one to keep low to bowl him for 16.
Smith lost his head when on 17, lofting Jones straight to Matthew Hoggard at mid-off.
Things got worse for West Indies straight after lunch when umpire Billy Bowden adjudged Ramnaresh Sarwan LBW to Jones for 13 with the total on 56, though television replays suggested it was harsh. Jones may also be in trouble with the ICC for his exaggerated celebrations.
Bureau Report