Sport

England set to let Harmison loose

12 April 2012

England began their push for victory in the opening npower Test at Lord's after declaring overnight to put pressure on the West Indies` batting

Having reached an imposing 553 for five with Ian Bell finishing unbeaten on 109 and debutant Matt Prior unbeaten on 126 overnight when bad light halted play, England decided to take advantage of the seamer-friendly conditions by declaring immediately.

It gave the Lord's crowd a chance to see if main spearhead Steve Harmison, who was playing his 50th Test for England, could replicate his form in county cricket after claiming 24 wickets in three championship games.

Yorkshire seamer Matthew Hoggard also had an incentive for finishing off West Indies as quickly as possible following the birth of son Ernie overnight.

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County Cricket
Cricket
Ian Bell
Matthew Hoggard