Devastating Flintoff ton keeps the pressure on West Indies

ANDREW Flintoff stamped his authority on the npower Test series with a devastating assault on West Indies’ inexperienced attack ensuring that England took control of the second Test at Edgbaston yesterday.

The Lancashire all-rounder produced another explosive innings to record his highest first class score of 167 on a second day run bonanza.

The batsmen of both sides dominated, exploiting friendly conditions to score 437 runs in the day.

Flintoff’s brilliant innings, which included seven sixes and 17 fours, guided England to an imposing total of 566 for nine before captain Michael Vaughan signalled the declaration.

West Indies lost two early wickets, but Ramnaresh Sarwan and Brian Lara combined to steer the tourists to a respectable 184 for two by the close.

Lara’s unbeaten 74 helped him become the first batsman to pass 1,000 Test runs in 2004 - and also put him within 41 runs of emulating Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Sunil Gavaskar in passing 10,000.

But despite Lara’s liking for milestones, yesterday belonged to Flintoff - who more than justified the great ovation he received when he began his innings yesterday evening by producing a high class innings in front of a buoyant 19,500 Edgbaston crowd.

“Freddie” asserted his authority onto an attack which too quickly lost their discipline allowing the Lancastrian to team up with Geraint Jones in a 170-run partnership.

England resumed on 313 for five, hoping to survive an early onslaught with the new ball. But they turned the tables successfully, adding 84 runs in the first hour’s play.

In the meantime, Clontarf defeated Pembroke by eight wickets in yesterday’s Royal Liver Assurance Senior Cup quarter-final.

Pembroke scored a total of 222 for 8 off 50 overs with the top scorers being Peter Davy (51), Peter Byrne (25) and Emmet Whaley (25). Greg Molins took three wickets for 42 runs.

In reply, Clontarf scored 226 for 2 off 39 overs with man of the match Trent Johnston recording a magnificent 120 and Dom Rigby a fine 68, without either losing their wicket.

Clontarf now play Strabane in the semi-final on Saturday August 14 at Strabane CC. The other semi final sees Brigade take on Limavady.