First Test: West Indies v England, Antigua, April 13-17.

[Aidan11]

We might still get to see Stokes & Buttler bashing it around.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Unless the morning session takes wickets again.

Declare first thing?

[Aidan11]

Too risky.

Anything is possible with Shiv.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Nas says declare early, after tea!

[Aidan11]

[Dilbert]

Another 150 and have a go at them for about 135 overs. Easy win

[bigfluffylemon]

Two days to go. No need to get carried away with talk of early declarations yet. We might get bowled out before lunch tomorrow. This is England, after all. Their ability to collapse is legendary.

What do we think will be enough? 300? 350? I reckon Cook will want a lead of 350-400 before declaring, as England's thinking hardly ever leans towards aggressive declarations. 4 to 4.5 sessions ought to be plenty of time on a deteriorating pitch to bowl this West Indies batting line-up out.

[Making_Splinters]

Following Graves' comments Cook and Moores will be terrified of losing. England will look to get 350 ahead minimum. That said, as others have noted, England wickets tumbled at the start of day 2.

[mikesiva]

Bat until tea, and then declare....

[budgetmeansbudget]

Have really enjoyed the ebb and flow of the first three days of this test match and nice to get back to proper cricket after the recent dearth.

England losing the toss and struggling on the opening morning, the fightback by Bell and Root, the collapse at the end, Anderson trying to break Bothams record, Blackwoods maiden century, the WI innings promising to reach parity and then getting blown away at the end. The continued woes of Cook, Trott trying to reestablish himself, the gritty determination of Ballance, the mad run out and the continued sublime form of Joe Root. You sense England have always had the upper hand, but with two days to go alot can still happen. Four day test cricket Mr Graves, you have to be bloody joking!

[rich1uk]

bat normally til lunch , see where we are then have a dash in the afternoon and look to declare just before tea

[hopeforthebest]

WI are not starting the day with a new ball so they will have to bowl exceptionally well to take wickets and sadly for them Benn is a liability both as a wicket taker and economically. Root, Ballance, Stokes and Buttler can all score quickly when they choose to do so it will be an interesting first session. My guess is Cook will want a minimum of 380 if it takes two sessions.

[Gingerfinch]

We have a 220 lead now, add say 90 to that for the morning session, plus another 80-90 in 80 minutes or so, after lunch. 400 from four and a bit sessions is not out of reach, but England will fancy cleaning them up, well before that.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Yep, steady batting towards lunch, try not to lose too many wickets, then push on after lunch until the lead is 400.

[hopeforthebest]

We have a 220 lead now, add say 90 to that for the morning session, plus another 80-90 in 80 minutes or so, after lunch. 400 from four and a bit sessions is not out of reach, but England will fancy cleaning them up, well before that.

I thought the lead was only 200 so I'm with you Ginger 400 is a minimum. Only early wickets can give WI any chance of slowing the scoring rate and with on old ball that's not going to be easy.