PORT OF SPAIN (TRINIDAD), February 9: Carl Hooper played one of the greatest innings of his career today to lift the West Indies to a gripping three-wicket victory over England in the second Test.Hooper hit an unbeaten 94, earning him the man-of-the-match award, and hit Phil Tufnell for four to seal the win as England suffered a third straight morale-shattering loss at Queen's Park Oval.
Two crucial dropped catches deepened the pain for the tourists.
Dean Headley's two-wicket burst just before lunch could not quite provide the final thrust England wanted in a memorable contest -- one the tourists will remember for their missed opportunities.
At 143 for one and 202 for three in their second innings, England had the chance to bat the West Indies out of the Test.
Even after they slumped to 258 all out, Mike Atherton's side still had the upper hand.
Then, when Angus Fraser -- who took 11 wickets in the match -- sent the West Indies reeling at 124 for five, the home side's target of 282 should havebeen beyond them.
But, while Hooper and David Williams built a match-winning partnership, England's attack simply did not keep up the pressure. Earlier, Curtly Ambrose's five-wicket burst in the morning session on Monday reduced England from their overnight 219 for four to 258 all out. The home team slipped to 124 for five before Carl Hooper and David Williams lifted them to 181 without further loss by the close of Day Four.
Opener Stuart Williams top scored with 62. Pacer Angus Fraser took three wickets to add to his eight in the first innings to lead England's charge. Earlier, Ambrose picked up five for 52 as England lost their last six wickets for 30.
The morning session belonged to the 34-year-old Antiguan. Wicketless overnight, he started England's decline with the wicket of Adam Hollioake on his way to his 19th career five-wicket haul and seventh against England. Hollioake edged to Brian Lara at first slip after making 12.
Ambrose's longtime pace partner and 300-wicket colleague, Courtney Walsh,chipped in with the vital wicket of Graham Thorpe. The Surrey left-hander made 39 before he also edged to Lara at first slip, the West Indies captain snaring a fine, low catch to his right. Caddick and Tufnell edged to wicket-keeper David Williams while, in between, Fraser was caught at second slip by Carl Hooper.
Ambrose's morning spell read 7.5-2-16-5 and lifted his record in his last five Tests at Port-of-Spain to 38 wickets at 10.05. Walsh finished with three for 67 off 29 overs and Nixon McLean 2-46.
off 12 overs. Dean Headley gave England an early breakthrough just before lunch by dismissing Sherwin Campbell for the second time in the match.
Campbell edged to second slip where Alec Stewart took a superb low catch to his right.
Stuart Williams and Brian Lara overcame that early reversal with a 58-run stand before Fraser captured the key wicket of the West Indies captain for 17.
Lara tried to steer to third man and got a thin edge to the wicket-keeper. But again, the West Indians rallied. Thistime, Williams found an able ally in Carl Hooper. The two were gradually shifting the balance West Indies' way when Fraser struck, with help from John Crawley, who hauled in a brilliant diving catch at short leg. Williams was in 170 minutes, faced 120 balls and hit 11 fours.
That dismissal sparked a slide in which three wickets fell for four runs in 26 balls. Hooper was undefeated on 40 after 208 minutes. The West Indies vice-captain remains a key man for the home team on the final day on Monday.Fraser had three for 32 off 17 overs to complete his first 10-wicket match haul. Phil Tufnell captured one for 45 in 26 overs.
SCOREBOARD
England (1st innings) 214
West Indies (1st innings) 191
England (2nd innings): Michael Atherton b Walsh 31, Alec Stewart c Hooper b McLean 73, John Crawley lbw b McLean 22, Nasser Hussain c & b Walsh 23, Graham Thorpe c Lara b Walsh 39, Adam Hollioake c Lara b Ambrose 12, Jack Russell lbw b Ambrose 8, Andy Caddick c Williams b Ambrose 0, Dean Headley not out 8,Angus Fraser c Hooper b Ambrose 4, Phil Tufnell c David Williams b Ambrose 6; Extras 32.
Total: 258
Fall of wickets: 1-91, 2-143, 3-148, 4-202, 5-228, 6-238, 7-239, 8-239, 9-246.
Bowling: Kenny Benjamin 15-3-40-0, Nixon McLean 12-1-46-2, Curtly Ambrose 19.5-3-52-5, Courtney Walsh 29-5-67-3, Carl Hooper 19-8-33-0.
West Indies (2nd Innings): S L Campbell c Stewart b Headley 10, S C Williams c Crawley b Fraser 62, B C Lara c Russell b Fraser 17, C L Hooper not out 40, S Chanderpaul c Thorpe b Tufnell 0, J C Adams c Stewart b Fraser 2, D Williams not out 36; Extras 14.
Total (for five wickets) 181.
Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-68, 3-120, 4-121, 5-124
Bowling: Dean Headley 12-1-53-1, Andy Caddick 10-1-40-0, Phil Tufnell 26-9-45-1, Angus Fraser 17-5-32-3, Adam Hollioake 2-0-4-0.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
