England back in the match

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33453, 7 February 1974, Page 24

England back in the match

(X'.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright.) PORI 1 OF SPAIN (Trinidad). The Englishmen, G. Boycott and D. L. Amiss, both nearing their centuries, will continue their fortune-reviving opening partnership on the fourth day of the first test against the West indies at Port of Spain today.

Their unbroken firstwicket stand of 201. yesterday, England’s best opening partnership in the Caribbean, pulled |the team strongly back into a match which ‘seemed on the way to ibeing- lost.

For four hours, Boycott andi Amiss defied the West; Indian attack on a pitch responsive to spin, Boycott ending the day on 91 and Amiss on 92. Their partnership brought England to within 60 runs of the West Indies’ first innings score—a highly satisfactory end-of-the-dav position after England had began its second innings 261 behind. But England still has to build strongly on the foundation provided by Boycott anti Amiss if it is to save the match. The batting looked very brittle in the first innings, when England was all out for only 131. and two quick wickets for the Indies today could swing the game strongly its way.

The biggest threat to England’s prospects might be I. Ali, the wrist spinner who can turn the ball either way. He bowled many loose deliveries yesterday, when he conceded 39 runs in 15 overs, but he also sent down some exceptionally good balls. A fine innings of 86 not out by B. Julien helped the West Indies reach 392 yesterday. A. Kallicharran, the man at the centre of the runout incident, scored 158. add ing 16 runs to the 142 he made earlier.