BBC SPORT | Cricket | White thrilled at golden wicket

Craig White admitted that becoming the first bowler in Test Match history to remove Brian Lara for a golden duck had left him feeling "awesome".

The Yorkshire paceman claimed his best Test figures of 5-32 as England skittled out the West Indies for a modest 125, but it was the scalp of Lara which left White glowing with pride.

"It's a great feeling to see the back of Brian Lara. It's definitely my best moment in Test cricket - I haven't had many really," he said.

White is mobbed by his England team-mates after removing Brian Lara

Lara had never walked first ball in 70 previous Test appearances, but White claimed it was a planned attack by England which ended that proud record.

"We knew he was going to get a long way across - he had been out a number of times leaving the ball this summer," White said.

He added: "I thought if I could get one up there straightish, I might knock his leg stump out.

"I didn't quite knock it out, but I knocked it back a bit. It was a good plan and it came together.

"I was ecstatic, actually. I could not believe it when it happened," admitted White, who only took up fast bowling in his 20s after previously bowling off spin.

"I hope people will realise I am a fast bowler. I have always bowled at that speed and people are beginning to realise that," said White, whose fastest delivery was clocked at 89.3mph on the speedgun.

"I knew I could bowl fast - as fast as anyone in the world on my day. Taking weickets makes your confidence rise and you start bowlingquicker and quicker.

"I only started bowling fast when I was 22 or 23 - I bowled off-spin before - and it has taken a time for the body to get used to it. Now my body knows what it can and can't do."

White bowls Lara
Lara looks back in horror as his leg stump disappears

White's second five-wicket haul of the series helped England into a commanding position, but West Indies coach Roger Harper refuses to accept the game - or the series - is over.

"Where there is life there is hope. England are 212 ahead and there are still two days left," Harper said.

"With ample time, we will have to look at something like (a target of) 300-320. It's the same players who made over 400 in the second innings at Old Trafford, so I have to think we are capable of doing it."

The West Indies' first innings would suggest otherwise however, and Harper admitted: "I think we have forgotten how to put a score together.

"I think most of it is mental more than anything, but this is our last chance - the time when we have to throw all our inhibitions away and go out there and simply get the job done."


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