West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo celebrates after taking a stunning return catch to dismiss England's Ashley Giles (back to camera) during play on yesterday's fourth day of the third npower Test at Old Trafford.
- Dellmar MANCHESTER, England (AP):
WEST INDIES allrounder Dwayne Bravo took six wickets but England's bowlers replied yesterday to set up an intriguing final day in the third Test at Old Trafford.
Led by Bravo's six for 55, the West Indies bowled out England at 330 to take a 65-run first-innings lead. That was despite Graham Thorpe's 114, his 15th Test century.
"The English conditions suit me well," Bravo said. "I just have to put the ball in the right areas, and everything will take care of itself."
161 FOR NINE
Andrew Flintoff (three for 26) fellow pacer Steve Harmison (three for 44) and left-arm spinner Ashley Giles (three for 43) then went through the West Indies order in the second innings, limiting the tourists to 161 for nine.
Captain Brian Lara became the fourth batsman to reach 10,000 Test runs but was retired at seven by Flintoff immediately after.
The West Indies, down 2-0 in the four-match series, lead by 226 runs.
"We know it is going to be tough, but with the confidence in this side, it is certainly not beyond us," Giles said. "We know it will be difficult, but it is well within reach, and if anyone can do it we can."
The 20-year-old Bravo initiated an England slump after Thorpe and nightwatchman Matthew Hoggard saw off the second new ball in the morning session.
RECEIVED LASHES
Thorpe, resuming at 89 not out, received lashes to glove and helmet from Fidel Edwards, who consistently delivered at about 95 miles per hour (152 kph). One of the blows caused a fracture to his right little finger, rendering him doubtful for the rest of the match and the fourth Test at the Oval this Thursday.
The left hander, eventually out at 114, was the first of Bravo's victims. The 35-year-old totalled nine boundaries in a 239-ball knock that spanned
6 1/2 hours.
After he chased a wide ball and edged to Lara at first slip, England lost their last four wickets for 20 runs.
Wicketkeeper Geraint Jones was bowled off the inside edge driving at Bravo, who also claimed a sharp return catch to dismiss Giles.
Left-armer Pedro Collins, who earlier had Thorpe dropped when at 100, finished the innings by claiming Harmison LBW.
The West Indies coasted to 88 for one before England's late revival.
CRUCIAL BREAKTHROUGH
Giles delivered the crucial breakthrough as he ended a blossoming stand of 47 between Chris Gayle (42) and Ram-naresh Sarwan (60). Gayle lofted a catch to long-on where Hoggard held a fine catch running in.
Flintoff, who earlier removed Sylvester Joseph, then produced a wicked bouncer to remove Lara. The star left hander could only fend to second slip.
Flintoff soon claimed the in-form Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who miscued a pull to mid-on.
Giles and Harmison then took over.
Bravo tried to sweep Giles and top-edged a catch to Flintoff running around to the leg side from slip.
HARMISON'S FIRST SCALP
Carlton Baugh was Harmison's first scalp, the wicketkeeper slicing an upper cut straight to third man.
Dave Mohammed prodded to short leg off Giles before Harmison removed top-scorer Sarwan to a first slip catch. Sarwan hit nine fours off 125 balls in just over three hours at the crease.
The right hander's dismissal made Harmison the first bowler to reach 50 wickets in 2004, and he added another just before the close. A fast yorker flattened Collins' off stump. Bad light brought the finish with 12.2 overs remaining.
