Five-star Swann puts England in control
Flintoff was also on form with three wickets
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Tuesday, 17, Feb 2009 10:19
England took control of the third Test in Antigua as they bowled the West Indies out for 285.
Graham Swann was the star of day three with a five-wicket haul in just his third Test match, while Andrew Flintoff took three wickets.
Captain Andrew Strauss decided not to enforce the follow-on, however, and England were 28-1 in their second-innings at close of play with Strauss out for 14 caught by Devon Smith off the bowling of Fidel Edwards.
The home side began the day on 55-1 and looked in good shape as Smith and Darren Powell added 72 before Swann clean-bowled Smith for 38.
Swann got his second wicket when Powell was caught by Paul Collingwood to leave the West Indies 130-3.
Ramnaresh Sarwan and Ryan Hinds added 70 for the next wicket, before Hinds nudged a ball from Flintoff which was caught behind by Ian Prior.
Hinds was replaced by Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who made only one before he was caught by Prior off the bowling of Stuart Broad.
When Sarwan was caught by Flintoff off the bowling of Swann for 94 England knew that it was going to be there day.
It got even better when Sarwan's replacement Denesh Ramdin was caught and bowled by Swann with the very next ball.
Flintoff with two wickets, and Swann with one, wrapped up the West Indies tail before Strauss made the somewhat peculiar decision not to enforce the follow-on.
This may have been due to slight injuries to Flintoff and Steve Harmison but with England ending the day with a lead of 312 they would appear to be in a commanding position with two days remaining.