MOTM Swann inspires England to win inside three days

England beat West Indies by ten wickets at Lord’s, chasing down a target of 32 to win the first Test, shortly before the scheduled close of Day 3.

Graeme Swann, who took six wickets in the match as well as hitting an unbeaten 63, was named man of the match.

England bowled out West Indies for 256 this afternoon. After a delayed start due to rain, West Indies resumed on 39/2 this morning. By lunch they were 80/5 and, still 145 behind after following on, appeared heading for defeat sooner rather than later

Swann had dismissed the Windies rock Chanderpaul (4) cheaply for the second time in the match, emphasising the apparent hold he has over the West Indies’ six left-handers.

But with Brendan Nash (81) and Denesh Ramdin putting on 143 for the sixth wicket, England were made to work in the afternoon session. Stuart Broad broke the partnership, dismissing Ramdin on the verge of tea. Soon Nash, getting over-adventurous as he ran out of partners, fell to Broad too, caught in the deep by Cook.

West Indies had lost 2o wickets in less than 105 overs’ batting time in the match, a shabby performance in the light of their recent series win over England in warmer and more bat-friendly conditions

So Strauss and Flower’s new-look England start the season on a high. They were gifted momentum, first, by West Indies’ dropping six catches on the first day and then by a hapless batting performance.

Seeing England’s delight at beating one of the few teams ranked below their own No 6 place in the ICC table will not necessarily have the Aussies quaking. If England can’t beat West Indies in a home Test shortly after Easter, then they really should pack up and go home.

But at least, in the performances of Swann, Onions and Bopara, this England team have made a definite stride forwards; the grim aura of underachievement that surrounded the Vaughan-Harmison-Panesar-Moores axis over the last 12 months has, for the moment at least, been dispelled.