The Hindu : Sport : Pietersen, Prior plunder runs; Windies set a target of 240

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Pietersen, Prior plunder runs; Windies set a target of 240

— Photo: AFP

FLYING HIGH: Kevin Pietersen is cock-a-hoop after his quickfire century on Tuesday.

PORT-OF-SPAIN: Kevin Pietersen hit a typically adventurous 102 (92 balls, 9 x 4, 1 x 6), his 16th Test hundred before lunch, as England set West Indies 240 for victory from a minimum of 67 overs in the fifth and final Test on Tuesday.

Pietersen was dismissed in the final over before lunch and the tourists then declared on 237 for six in their second innings during the interval on the last day at Queen’s Park Oval.

England trails 0-1 in the five-Test series and a win here will help it share the series and retain the Wisden Trophy, the symbol of Test supremacy between the two sides.

Quickfire batting

Pietersen, who led England’s charge for quick runs after it continued from its overnight total of 80 for three, added 106 for the fifth wicket with Matt Prior in a sensational hour and 15 minutes of batting.

Pietersen reached his 50 from 42 balls and Prior celebrated his 50 from 39 balls.

When Prior was bowled for 61, West Indies was able to slow things down a bit more.

Earlier, Paul Collingwood had fallen in the fifth over of the morning.

Chanderpaul’s 21st

Meanwhile on Monday, Shivnarine Chanderpaul joined Brendan Nash as a century-maker as the host totalled 544, just two two runs behind the visitor and England reached 80 for three at the close of play on day four.

Chanderpaul, who finished unbeaten on 147, chalked up his 21st Test ton and was involved in a 234-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Nash before the latter was caught by a diving Paul Collingwood.

Chanderpaul was then involved in controversy on 92. Umpire Daryl Harper gave the left-hander out caught behind off Swann but Chanderpaul referred the decision to the video umpire and, after a long delay, was deemed not out.

West Indies captain Chris Gayle, who retired hurt on 100 on Sunday, returned to the crease with a runner after the loss of the eighth wicket but added two runs before he was superbly caught by counterpart Andrew Strauss.

Gayle out of one-dayers

However, Gayle’s hamstring injury is likely to keep him out for the start of the one-day series.

Broad and Swann picked up three wickets apiece but the pick of the attack was James Anderson, who toiled hard and bowled a tight line despite claiming only one wicket.

England conceded 74 extras, the second highest in a Test innings after India gave away 76 against Pakistan in Bangalore in 2007. — Agencies

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