GRENADA — England removed both West Indies' opening batsmen before lunch after rain delayed the start of the second Test Tuesday. In the one hour of play, West Indies reached 36 for two and will be very disappointed about the manner in which it lost its second wicket, Devon Smith, in the penultimate over before the interval. After overnight and early morning rain, England skipper Alastair Cook won the toss and put the host into bat, hoping that his bowlers could exploit the damp, humid conditions. James Anderson, now England's highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, not surprisingly managed to find some swing and removed Kraigg Brathwaite with a superb in-swinger. Darren Bravo joined local favorite Smith and the pair batted well with England, particularly seamer Stuart Broad, failing to take full advantage of the favorable bowling conditions. Chris Jordan should have had Smith caught when the batsman turned the ball to Gary Ballance at leg-slip, but he failed to hold on to the chance. Three balls later though, Smith was on his way after he went to drive a full delivery wide outside off stump and was adjudged to have edged it to keeper Jos Buttler. Smith paused for a moment and considered appealing to the video review but opted against turning to technology. He will have regretted that decision after replays showed he hit the ground with his bat and the ball was well clear of his outside edge. Before the game, West Indies suffered the blow of losing opening bowler Jerome Taylor to a shoulder injury with seamer Shannon Gabriel taking his place. Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo was chosen ahead of slow left-armer Sulieman Benn. England made one change, Moeen Ali coming in as the off-spinner ahead of James Tredwell. Pietersen ‘flattered' by Waugh blast Kevin Pietersen admitted to being “flattered” at the interest shown in him by Steve Waugh after the Australia great told England to steer clear of giving the controversial batsman a Test recall. Waugh, one of the outstanding batsmen of his generation, said Pietersen “may have been a great player but I wouldn't class him as one now.” However, Pietersen refused to engage in a war of words with the former Australia captain, telling his Twitter followers: “I grew up idolising guys like Steve Waugh, so for him to be even commenting on my situation is quite flattering. He's a legend! Love him!“ South Africa-born batsman Pietersen has not played for England since being axed last year following the team's 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia. But the 34-year-old has repeatedly insisted he wants to regain his place in the England set-up. — Agencies
