Vaughan praises team effort
Guyana Chronicle
March 24, 2004

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ENGLAND captain Michael Vaughan hailed the all-round effort of his side after their seven-wicket win over West Indies in Trinidad.

"There were a lot of good individual performances, but it was a real team performance and everyone contributed.

"They've been two tough Test matches. I know we're 2-0 up but it could quite easily have been the other way round.

"We'll just keep trying to work as hard as we can and hopefully we'll clinch the series in Barbados."

England took just five overs to knock off the 28 runs needed for victory on the final day after being denied the chance to do so on the previous evening by bad light.

Pace bowler Steve Harmison picked up his second man-of-the-match award for his figures of 6-61 in the West Indies first innings.

His second spell on the first morning in which he dismissed Chris Gayle, Devon Smith and Brian Lara was a turning point after the home side began the match with an opening stand of 100.

And he also picked up Lara's wicket in the second innings before Simon Jones weighed in with 5-57.

"The first morning was strange. The ball didn't do a great deal the first 10-15 overs and after coming back just before lunch it just seemed to click again, just like Jamaica," said Harmison.

"It's always great to get someone like Brian Lara, who's obviously one of the world's greats."

Vaughan singled out Mark Butcher, Nasser Hussain and Graham Thorpe among his batsmen for crucial half-centuries, which enabled England to lead by 111 on first innings.

"The way we fought on the second day with our batting having lost two early wickets was tremendous. Mark Butcher and Nasser Hussain once again showed all their experience and know-how.

"They got us into a fantastic position, allowing Graham Thorpe to go on and play the way he did."

"Their partnerships, the one in Jamaica and the one here, have been the key to success in both games," said Vaughan.

"That allowed Simon Jones to go out and bowl the way he did yesterday.

"I'm delighted for Simon, He's had a long wait and it's great for him to come back and get a five-for."

England now head for Barbados where they play a three-day game against a Carib Beer XI before beginning the third Test on April 1. (BBC Sport)