Windies suffer Gayle blow

12 April 2012

Liam Plunkett struck with only his second ball of the morning to give England the breakthrough they needed if they are to press for victory in the first Test against West Indies at Lord's.

The Durham pace bowler knocked out Chris Gayle's off stump with a yorker as the Windies reached 55 for one in an hour of their reply to England's 553 for five declared.

The hosts had drawn a blank with their new-ball pair Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison as Gayle and Daren Ganga tried to give their team a chance of saving the match.

Invited to begin their response to England's two-day run-fest under cloudy skies, the Windies openers dealt admirably with some well-directed pace and swing from Harmison and Hoggard.

The latter could have done with an early wicket to celebrate the birth of his first child Ernie - but it was not to be as the opposition dug in with determination.

Ganga was happy with mere survival, but Gayle was beginning to hint at something more adventurous and had just crashed two fours back past Harmison when he aimed across first change Plunkett and paid the penalty.

Ganga was joined by number three Devon Smith, continuing the left and right-hand partnership which put the onus on England's attack to keep a disciplined line.

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