Ramnaresh Denesh Sarwan, Ramdin dash England hopes

Updated on: 02 March,2009 08:22 AM IST |
AFP |

England's bid for a series-levelling victory in the fourth Test against West Indies was derailed yesterday, when Ramnaresh Sarwan hit his highest Test score and Denesh Ramdin his maiden Test hundred

England's bid for a series-levelling victory in the fourth Test against West Indies was derailed yesterday, when Ramnaresh Sarwan hit his highest Test score and Denesh Ramdin his maiden Test hundred to give their side a 149-run lead.

Sarwan hit the top score of 291 and Ramdin supported with 166 to allow West Indies to declare on 749 for nine, replying to England's first innings total of 600 for six declared, on the fourth day at Kensington Oval.

Batting a second time, England reached six without loss in the two overs available before stumps.

The visitors also found themselves staring the down the highest team total on the ground for almost six decades.

England had to wait until 10 minutes before tea to gain their first breakthrough, when they removed a tired Sarwan.

Off-spinner Graeme Swann took five wickets for 165 runs from 50.4 overs, and James Anderson finished with three for 125 from 37 overs.

Sarwan completed his second Test double-hundred to take West Indies to 483 for five at lunch after the hosts resumed from their overnight total of 398 for five.

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