LONDON, England:
THE second Test between West Indies and England is under way at Lord's this morning with the Windies one up and gunning to extend their lead against the old mother country, bidding to even the score after falling at Edgbaston.
It should, as it has been since 1950, cricket, lovely cricket at headquarters.
Fifty years ago when West Indies arrived at Lord's, they were one-down, they were fighting for recognition, they had never won a match much more a series in England. In a memorable performance which paved the way for a 3-1 series triumph, the men from the Caribbean away with an historic and resounding victory.
Today, the West Indies are still fighting -- but not for recognition.
As the undisputed champions of the world for an unprecedented 19 years, between 1976 and 1995, and as former champions who have lost their last three series away from home, this time the fight is to salvage their reputation.
This time, however, they are in front, they are bubbling with confidence, and after storming to victory by an innings and 93 runs in the opening contest, they are strong favourites to win the match and to go two-up in their bid for a grand revival.
The Lord's Test match, however, is always one of great expectations.
Throughout the years there have been many surprises. True to their nature, the English people expect the homesters to fight back. As far as they are concerned, there is no better place to do so than on their hallowed turf in St. John's Wood.
With the Test match marking the 100th at Lord's including one between South Africa and Australia in 1912, there is also no better time to parade the best of English cricket.
Although England's record of 35 victories against 24 losses in 98 matches is good, Lord's, however, has not been kind to England in the past 20 years. Of the 30 matches played there, they have won only seven and have lost 12.
That, however, is not relevant. What is relevant is the head-to-head count.
Although they won the first three -- 1928, 1933 and 1939 -- and also the last one in 1995, in 12 clashes since 1950, England have won only two to the West Indies' four.
Chances are it will be five to two when this one is over -- not because England are wounded and will be without captain Nasser Hussain and pacer Andrew Flintoff but because of the power of the West Indies bowling.
In 1950, the West Indies strolled to victory at Lord's through the skill of the Spin Twins -- the 20-year-olds Sonny Ramadhin and Alfred Valentine, who took 18 wickets between them and were serenaded as "those two little pals of mine, Ramadhin and Valentine".
