Tuesday 14 April 2015 07:03, UK
Ian Botham said Ian Bell was "magnificent" on an "excellent" day for England after they closed day one of the first Test in Antigua on 341-5.
Bell fell in the penultimate over of the day for 143, but with the tourists at one stage struggling at 34-3, it couldn’t dampen what was a fantastic turnaround, with Joe Root also hitting 83 and Ben Stokes unbeaten on 71.
“Ian Bell is what Jimmy Anderson is to the bowling attack – he’s the senior player,” said Botham. “He was magnificent.”
“He was disappointed to get out late on, as was Joe Root, but it was an excellent day for England – 34-3 at one stage they will be delighted with their situation.
“Bell and Root have been the two form players from England’s point of view throughout the last year or so and again they dug in – got straight back into the groove and they were magnificent. It’s a great combination.
“Then Ben Stokes who was the icing on the cake at the end.”
Stokes’ knock comprised only 80 balls as England – with the exception of the late Bell wicket – dominated a tired West Indies attack late in the day.
“It was perfect timing from his point of view,” added Botham. “He went out there with a man established at one end and the West Indies took the new ball with nine overs to go, which I thought was a mistake as 60 or 70 runs must have come from that new ball and England got away.
“Stokes at the end was magnificent. You have to ask yourself the question – where has he been all winter?
“It’s very hard not to see him go on to another big score tomorrow. The West Indies have got their backs to the wall.”
It was a remarkable turnaround in fortunes as the West Indies dominated the first session, reducing England to 49-3 at lunch – Jonathan Trott falling for a duck on his return to Test cricket – after many were initially surprised at their decision to bowl first when winning the toss.
“You’ll have to ask him [Ramdin] whether he regrets the decision,” said Botham. “You couldn’t argue with it at lunchtime.
“England had a lot of work to do, but all credit to them, they passed that Test.
“This pitch will start to turn I think as this game goes on – there are already cracks out there – so England are well on top.”
Watch day two of the West Indies versus England live on Sky Sports 2 from 2.30pm on Tuesday.
