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dated June 6, 1957: May's great knock

The West Indies, who on June 3 had seemed virtually certain to win the first Test at Edgbaston, had to fight desperately on June 4 to foil a great bid for victory by England. When the match ended in a draw, the visitors were 223 runs behind with only three wickets standing. A record-breaking partnership of 411 by skipper May and Cowdrey paved the way to England's bid for success, enabling May to declare the second innings closed at the mammoth total of 583 for four wickets - 295 ahead and with two hours 40 minutes left for play. The England bowlers took up the challenge and almost forced victory as the tourists' wickets tumbled. At the end, the scoreboard read: England 186 and 583 for four. West Indies 474 and 72 for seven. May scored 285 not out, the highest Test innings ever by an England captain. Cowdrey made 154, his best score in Test cricket. Their huge stand, lasting eight hours 20 minutes, remorselessly destroyed the hopes of victory the West Indies had gained by taking a first innings lead of 288. Two quick wickets by Trueman, the Yorkshire pace bowler, gave England a great start in the West Indies' second innings. Spinners Lock and Laker, turning the ball sharply, continued the demoralisation of their rivals. Weekes, batting 95 minutes for 33 runs and Smith 61 minutes for five, helped the West Indies cling on for a draw.

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