England (301 for nine) beat West Indies (300 all out) by one wicket with one ball remaining
It may have been only the battle for fifth place, but it has produced an absolutely marvellous game of cricket. England win it by just one wicket and with just one delivery in hand after over 600 runs were scored. England have been poor in this World Cup, but have now arguably been involved in the best two matches of it - here and against Sri Lanka. And, for the first time, Pietersen scores a century in an England ODI victory.

Over 49.5: With the field up, Broad hits the ball over the top of cover for two runs. England win an absolute classic. Shame it means nowt. A similar game at the next game at this ground next week will do for me. England 301/9

Lara has brought the field in. Everyone on the single.

Over 49.4: Broad defends solidly to cover. No run, much excitement. England 299/9 2 runs needed from 2 balls

Over 49.3: Huge appeal for lbw against Anderson, but it's never threatening the stumps. England scramble a leg-bye. England 299/9 2 runs needed from 3 balls

Anderson is last man in. Not best known for his batting is Jimmy.

Over 49.2: WICKET!
PA Nixon b Bravo 38 (39)
Slower ball from Bravo, Nixon misses it and the off stump goes over. Advantage West Indies again. England 298/9 3 runs needed from 4 balls

Over 49.1: Broad hits Bravo to long-off for a single. Fine batting from the youngster, not flustered. England 298/8 3 runs needed from 5 balls

Lara turns to Bravo for the final over. Four to win, six balls to get them, two wickets in hand. Gotta love it, dead rubber or no dead rubber.

Over 49: Nixon gets Taylor to third-man for a single from the first ball. Nixon has words with Broad straight away. One imagines the words 'bat', 'on, and 'ball' featured prominently. Broad does his job, getting the ball into the legside for the single. The next ball is full and straight, but Nixon jabs the bat on it and gets it down to fine-leg for four crucial runs. Fine shot from Nixon, who gets a single to long-on from the next delivery. Broad bunts the next ball down the ground for one. The last ball of Taylor's over is down the legside but flicks something on the way through. Big appeal from the bowler, but a fine decision from Koertzen as that brushed the thigh pad.
England 297/8 (RR: 6.06): Nixon 38* (38), Broad 2* (2)
England need 4 runs to win from 6 balls at 4.00 runs per over.

Over 48: Nixon gets a low full-toss from the first ball of the over and lashes it over midwicket for four. He won't have given up on this game yet. Nixon swings again next ball, misses, and the ball whistles millimetres wide of the off stump. Nixon goes again next ball and makes fine contact, hammering it over midwicket for a second boundary in the over. Long delay while Lara and Collymore discuss their plan of action. Whatever the plan was, I don't think it involved Nixon launching another boundary over midwicket. That's what happens though, and Nixon is again bringing the game back to life. Nixon has a swing at the next ball but misses. However, so does Ramdin and it races away for four byes. Just a run a ball required, and Nixon gets a single from the final ball of the over to keep the strike.
England 289/8 (RR: 6.02): Nixon 32* (34), Broad 0* (0)
England need 12 runs to win from 12 balls at 6.00 runs per over.

Collymore to bowl his final over.

Over 47: Nixon gets a single from the final ball of the over to keep the strike.
England 272/8 (RR: 5.79): Nixon 19* (28), Broad 0* (0)
England need 29 runs to win from 18 balls at 9.67 runs per over.

Broad is England's number 10. Nixon will be on strike.

WICKET!
LE Plunkett c Bravo b Taylor 2 (3)
Plunkett gets two through the covers before holing out to long-off. He had to go for it, but unfortunately it will ultimately be his rotten spell with the ball that separates these sides.

Plunkett is the new batsman. He can hit a good cricket ball, but after his day with the ball you wouldn't fancy him here.

WICKET!
KP Pietersen b Taylor 100 (91)
Pietersen launches the first ball of the over into the stands behind deep midwicket to bring up a superbly-paced century. Pressure on the young bowler now after the first ball of the over goes for six. That ball isn't coming back, so Steve Bucknor brings on a selection of replacements while Nixon and Pietersen take the opportunity for a drink. Taylor's had a long time to think about his second delivery, and when he eventually delivers it, Pietersen swings and misses, his leg stump disappears and with it go England's chances. Wasn't a great ball - just on a length - and Pietersen will feel it had to go. That long delay between the balls did England few favours, but West Indies have the game sewn up now. At least it took until the 47th over of the second innings for this match to be settled, a significant improvement on recent matches.

Pietersen 100: 90 balls, 10 x 4s, 1 x 6

Taylor is back into the attack. He has two overs left, so will presumably bowl overs 47 and 49.

Over 46: Pietersen hits hard down the ground but close enough for the long-off fielder to intercept and keep it to a single. Nixon heaves to leg and scameprs back for two as Bravo does the fielding but can't get the throw back accurately enough. Huge mix-up between Nixon and Pietersen, who stop for a chat mid-pitch only for Gayle to fumble. The end result is a single to England. Sure enough, Pietersen launches the next ball over midwicket for a one-bounce four and this is heading for a great finish. Pietersen hits to midwicket and scurries through for another single. Nixon heaves at the last ball and misses. Huge cheers for the dot to end the over.
England 263/6 (RR: 5.72): Pietersen 94* (89), Nixon 18* (27)
England need 38 runs to win from 24 balls at 9.50 runs per over.

Collymore is back into the attack, with two overs left of his allocation.

England just need one big over here to give themselves a real shot at victory.

Over 45: Gayle halts in his delivery stride as Pietersen charges. Koertzen is unimpressed with the bowler there. Gayle does then bowl, and Pietersen stays put to hit through the covers for a single. Nixon is immediately on the reverse-sweep, and the top edge falls short of the short third-man and the batsmen get a single. Pietersen then tries to play a reverse pull, misses, but a flummoxed Ramdin misses the ball as well and England get two byes. Pietersen bunts the next ball down the ground for a single. Nixon reverse-sweeps again and makes better contact this time. Still only a single though, and Pietersen adds another from the final ball.
England 254/6 (RR: 5.64): Pietersen 88* (86), Nixon 15* (24)
England need 47 runs to win from 30 balls at 9.40 runs per over.

Gayle is into the attack. This is the key moment in the game. Nixon will definitely take the spinner on. And Pietersen isn't usually backward in coming forward to the slower ball.

Over 44: Pietersen whips through midwicket for two, and then chops the ball into his foot and hobbles through for a pained single. Nixon works to leg for a single, and Pietersen then gets another with a hoik to Lara at midwicket, altough he'd have been struggling with a direct hit. Nixon shovels to leg again for a single. Pietersen slaps the final ball of the over down the ground for a single to keep the strike.
England 247/6 (RR: 5.61): Pietersen 85* (82), Nixon 13* (22)
England need 54 runs to win from 36 balls at 9.00 runs per over.

Over 43: Pietersen hits the first ball of Bravo's over down the ground for a single, and Nixon gets another with a trademark nurdle into the legside. The next ball is wide of the off stump, and Pietersen gets it down to the third-man boundary off the toe of the bat. A boundary an over will keep England in this, and that's what they're getting at the moment. Pietersen hits to long-off from a single next ball, but Nixon then hits straight back to Bravo for no run. Nixon pulls the last ball of the over to midwicket for two runs to bring up the 50 partnership. Could yet be a close finish if Pietersen bats through.
England 240/6 (RR: 5.58): Pietersen 81* (78), Nixon 11* (20)
England need 61 runs to win from 42 balls at 8.71 runs per over.

Over 42: Nixon edges to third-man for a single. A slower ball from Taylor is a full-toss, but Pietersen didn't pick it up and can only block it back to the bowler. Pietersen deftly plays the next ball fine on the offside for four runs, and gets four more fine on the legside from the next ball. That takes Pietersen past 2000 ODI runs, and in just 45 innings - the quickest ever alongside Zaheer Abbas. He gets a single from the next ball, and Nixon blocks the final ball of the over.
England 231/6 (RR: 5.50): Pietersen 75* (75), Nixon 8* (17)
England need 70 runs to win from 48 balls at 8.75 runs per over.

Over 41: Nixon works the first ball of Bravo's over into the legside for a hard-run two, but can't get anything from the next one. Big lbw appeal next ball, but it pitched outside leg. It's a dot though. The next ball keeps low and beats Nixon, bouncing twice on its way through to the keeper. Nixon gets the fifth ball of the over to cover for a single. Bravo comes round the wicket to Pietersen, but bowls a wide down the legside. He's back over the wicket for the second go at the final ball of the over, and bowls a full-toss that Pietersen edges away for a very welcome four.
England 221/6 (RR: 5.39): Pietersen 66* (71), Nixon 7* (14)
England need 80 runs to win from 54 balls at 8.89 runs per over.

Nine an over needed then from the final 10 overs. With a couple more wickets in hand, England would be favourites. As it is, one more wicket here and it's game over. Bravo is back into the attack.

Over 40: Pietersen slaps through cover for two more from the first ball of Taylor's over and then hammers a pull shot straight to Lara at midwicket. Had he been in a couple of paces, that was a catching chance but he was right on the edge of the circle. Pietersen hits the next ball down the ground for a single. Nixon gets a single from the next ball, and that's his job here. Pietersen mistimes a slower ball from Taylor down the ground for a single. Nixon hooks a very high ball out to deep midwicket for another to end the over.
England 213/6 (RR: 5.33): Pietersen 62* (70), Nixon 4* (9)
England need 88 runs to win from 10 overs at 8.80 runs per over.

Over 39: The field is scattered to give Pietersen a single wherever he wants it, but he's not interested in singles and thumps the first ball of Powell's overstraight down the ground for four. He drives the next ball to deep cover and scampers back for two, Nixon having to dive to make his ground, although he'd have gone with a direct hit. Pietersen chips the next ball down the ground and looks for two but has to settle for one. Nixon blocks the final ball of the over and, despite a couple of big hits, England's task gets harder. Pietersen cannot do this alone.
England 207/6 (RR: 5.31): Pietersen 58* (66), Nixon 2* (7)
England need 94 runs to win from 11 overs at 8.55 runs per over.

Over 38: Pietersen flays a drive through the covers for two to bring up his 50, and then gets a single with a defensive push that brings up the 200. Taylor prevents Nixon getting anything from the last four balls of the over, and the required rate climbs again.
England 200/6 (RR: 5.26): Pietersen 51* (61), Nixon 2* (6)
England need 101 runs to win from 12 overs at 8.42 runs per over.

Pietersen 50: 60 balls, 4 x 4s

Over 37: Nixon works to leg for a single, and Pietersen then advances down the track to smack the ball wide of mid-off for four. He follows that up with a single to cover, and Nixon adds another to deep square-leg. More nimble footwork from Pietersen, but this time he can only get the ball down the ground for a single. Powell's over costs the eight England need.
England 197/6 (RR: 5.32): Pietersen 48* (59), Nixon 2* (3)
England need 104 runs to win from 13 overs at 8.00 runs per over.

Powell is back into the attack. Lara going for the kill.

Over 36: Pietersen blocks the final ball of the over, so Taylor comes back with a maiden. Ten overs ago, England were 154 for two.
England 189/6 (RR: 5.25): Pietersen 42* (56), Nixon 0* (0)
England need 112 runs to win from 14 overs at 8.00 runs per over.

Nixon is the new batsman. Absolutely no batting to come after this. If England are going to win here, then these two will have to get the vast majority of them.

WICKET!
JWM Dalrymple run out (Devon Smith) 1 (6)
Dalrymple blocks the first four balls and then has a brainwave as the pressure grows, taking a nonsense single to mid-on. Devon Smith's had a nightmare as sub fielder, but he scores a direct hit here with Dalrymple barely halfway. England are capitulating here after looking good for victory just a few overs ago.

Taylor is back into the attack as Lara chases the two wickets that would effectively wrap up victory here.

Over 35: Pietersen gets an outside edge to third-man for two runs, and then cuts for a single. Dalrymple gets a single with a sweep shot to end a successful Sarwan over and keep the strike.
England 189/5 (RR: 5.40): Pietersen 42* (55), Dalrymple 1* (1)
England need 112 runs to win from 15 overs at 7.47 runs per over.

Dalrymple is the new batsman for England, but he won't be on strike.

WICKET!
A Flintoff c Powell b Sarwan 15 (20)
Could be a crucial blow for England, as Flintoff unerringly picks out long-off with a chip down the ground off Sarwan. Five wickets down now, and the required rate getting close to being out of control.

Over 34: Pietersen gets one from the first ball of Bravo's over, but three dot balls raise the pressure on Flintoff. He gets a single to deep cover from the fifth, and Pietersen hits down the ground for another from the sixth.
England 184/4 (RR: 5.41): Pietersen 38* (51), Flintoff 15* (19)
England need 117 runs to win from 16 overs at 7.31 runs per over.

Over 33: Three singles from the first five balls of Sarwan's over before Flintoff drives wide of mid-off for two runs. England can go at five anover for a while yet, but they will have to put the foot down at some point before the run-rate spirals.
England 181/4 (RR: 5.48): Pietersen 36* (49), Flintoff 14* (15)
England need 120 runs to win from 17 overs at 7.06 runs per over.

Drinks. Could be a close finish on the cards here. The required rate is up around seven now, but with Pietersen and Flintoff at the crease that could come down in a hurry. Not a lot of batting to come though.

Over 32: Flintoff gets a top edge into his shoulder that lobs up on the legside. Ramdin makes a half-hearted effort to get there, and that's poor work. Twice in quick succession there's a lack of effort from young West Indians. Another short ball from Bravo is put away through midwicket for four, and West Indies may regret giving Flintoff that life. Flintoff hits the next ball back to Bravo, who throws it back wide of the keeper and gives away a run. Pietersen hits the next ball to mid-off for a single.
England 176/4 (RR: 5.50): Pietersen 34* (46), Flintoff 11* (12)
England need 125 runs to win from 18 overs at 6.94 runs per over.

Over 31: Flintoff gets an edge through the slips for a streaky four. With Flintoff in his current form, surely a slip should have been in. The fifth ball of the over is a full-toss and Flintoff eases down the ground for a single. Pietersen cuts the final ball out to deep cover and steals a second run as Dwayne Smith jogs after the ball to field. Poor fielding, but good awareness from Pietersen.
England 170/4 (RR: 5.48): Pietersen 33* (45), Flintoff 6* (7)
England need 131 runs to win from 19 overs at 6.89 runs per over.

Over 30: Flintoff gets off the mark with a single to third-man. But Bravo ends the over with two dot balls, and the pressure is growing all the time. Bravo has played a key role here with the ball and in the field.
England 163/4 (RR: 5.43): Pietersen 31* (44), Flintoff 1* (2)
England need 138 runs to win from 20 overs at 6.90 runs per over.

Flintoff strides to the crease, and England need him to produce now.

WICKET!
PD Collingwood b Bravo 6 (11)
Definitely advantage Windies now as Collingwood drags the ball into his stumps from way outside off. The runs have dried up for England, and two crucial wickets have now fallen. Next man in is Flintoff, in horrid batting form, and then it's Dalrymple who has no form at all.

Over 29: Pietersen paddles a sweep behind square on the legside for a single. Collingwood bunts down the ground for one more, and Pietersen gets another to short third-man despite Bravo throwing down the stumps again. Collingwood sweeps for another single, and Pietersen misses out on a legside ball to end the over.
England 162/3 (RR: 5.59): Pietersen 31* (42), Collingwood 6* (8)
England need 139 runs to win from 21 overs at 6.62 runs per over.

Over 28: Shocking fielding from sub fielder Dwayne Smith, letting a drive from Collingwood go through his legs. That turns one into four, just at the time when pressure was building on England. That's all England get from the over though.
England 158/3 (RR: 5.64): Pietersen 29* (39), Collingwood 4* (6)
England need 143 runs to win from 22 overs at 6.50 runs per over.

Over 27: Pietersen blocks the final three balls of the over and Sarwan starts with a maiden that also included the wicket of Vaughan, albeit ia a run out. Again the pendulum swings.
England 154/3 (RR: 5.70): Pietersen 29* (39), Collingwood 0* (0)
England need 147 runs to win from 23 overs at 6.39 runs per over.

Collingwood is the new batsman, and Lara now has the chance to build somepressure on a new batsman. Collingwood won't be on strike, as Vaughan was dismissed at the bowler's end.

WICKET!
MP Vaughan run out (Bravo) 79 (68)
Vaughan's long wait for an ODI hundred goes on as he takes a bad single to Bravo at short third-man and is run out by yards by the direct hit. Wonderful innings from England's captain, who looked certain to reach three figures. Indeed, that looked the only way he might fall short.

Lara needs a wicket, so he's turned to the mercurial legspin of Sarwan. Bowls a heady mix of unplayable deliveries and utter dross, so this could go either way.

Over 26: Vaughan cuts to third-man for a single, and Pietersen gets one more to the same fielder two balls later. Another guide to third-man gets another single, but jsut the three runs off that Bravo over.
England 154/2 (RR: 5.92): Vaughan 79* (65), Pietersen 29* (36)
England need 147 runs to win from 24 overs at 6.13 runs per over.

Over 25: Vaughan sweeps fine on the legside for four runs to get the over off to a fine start for England. He works to leg for a single, and Pietersen then works to leg for one more to bring up England's 150. Vaughan hits down the ground again for a single and Pietersen blocks the last ball of the over. Halfway through the innings, England are halfway to their target.
England 151/2 (RR: 6.04): Vaughan 77* (61), Pietersen 28* (34)
England need 150 runs to win from 25 overs at 6.00 runs per over.

Over 24: Vaughan chops to third-man for a single, and Pietersen gets another with an uppish drive that lands just short of Chanderpaul at point. Vaughan hits down the ground for a single, and Pietersen gets two behind square on the legside to end Bravo's over.
England 144/2 (RR: 6.00): Vaughan 71* (58), Pietersen 27* (31)
England need 157 runs to win from 26 overs at 6.04 runs per over.

Over 23: Five singles from Gayle's over as England continue to maneouvre the ball around in this middle period of the innings.
England 139/2 (RR: 6.04): Vaughan 69* (56), Pietersen 24* (27)
England need 162 runs to win from 27 overs at 6.00 runs per over.

Over 22: The first ball of the over comes off Pietersen's pads for a leg-bye and Vaughan gets a single to fine-leg from the next ball. Pietersen flicks aerially and just wide of midwicket for four runs before being completely bamboozled by a slower ball from Bravo. No harm done though.
England 134/2 (RR: 6.09): Vaughan 66* (52), Pietersen 22* (25)
England need 167 runs to win from 28 overs at 5.96 runs per over.

Bravo has already picked up a wicket with a direct-hit run out, and now he's into the bowling attack. Ramdin standing up to the stumps.

Over 21: Vaughan works to leg for a single, and Pietersen then adds another straight down the ground. Vaughan nudges the ball behind point for another, and it's clear what England's strategy is going to be in these middle over. Pietersen adds another single to point from ball four, and Vaughan pushes down the ground for another from ball five. Pietersen completes a successful fence-building exercise with a single to mid-on to end the over.
England 128/2 (RR: 6.10): Vaughan 65* (51), Pietersen 18* (20)
England need 173 runs to win from 29 overs at 5.97 runs per over.

That's the end of the powerplays, and Gayle is back into the attack.

Over 20: Pietersen gets the ball into the legside for a single, and Vaughan gets two with a fine glide to third-man. Vaughan chops the next ball to the same fielder for a single this time before Pietersen charges Collymore again, top-edging his attempted pull shotover the keeper's head for four fortuitous runs.
England 122/2 (RR: 6.10): Vaughan 62* (48), Pietersen 15* (17)
England need 179 runs to win from 30 overs at 5.97 runs per over.

Over 19: Powell strays onto leg stump, and Pietersen hits through square-leg for two, before adding a single to mid-on two balls later. Vaughan plays to the same fielder for another easy run with the man set deep. Pietersen works through midwicket for another single, but Vaughan can get nothing from the final ball.
England 114/2 (RR: 6.00): Vaughan 59* (45), Pietersen 10* (14)
England need 187 runs to win from 31 overs at 6.03 runs per over.

Over 18: Vaughan gets an inside edge into his pad, and Pietersen calls him through for a single. Pietersen comes down the track to Collymore and hits to leg for another run, and Vaughan then edges to third-man for one more. Pietersen flicks to leg for another single to keep the strike.
England 109/2 (RR: 6.06): Vaughan 58* (43), Pietersen 6* (10)
England need 192 runs to win from 32 overs at 6.00 runs per over.

Over 17: Pietersen gets off the mark in fine style with a beautiful drive through mid-on. The next two balls are driven hard to cover where Gayle makes two sharp stops.
England 105/2 (RR: 6.18): Vaughan 56* (41), Pietersen 4* (6)
England need 196 runs to win from 33 overs at 5.94 runs per over.

Over 16: Vaughan misses an attempted cut shot. The England captain had a lengthy spell of treatment during that drinks break, and is immediately beaten against by the final ball of Collymore's over.
England 101/2 (RR: 6.31): Vaughan 56* (41), Pietersen 0* (0)
England need 200 runs to win from 34 overs at 5.88 runs per over.

Pietersen is the new batsman. The players have taken drinks at the fall of that wicket, and England need another partnership.

WICKET!
RS Bopara run out (Bravo) 26 (43)
Bopara pushes his luck with his running one time too many, taking a dodgy single to Bravo, who throws down the stumps with the batsman six inches short of his ground. West Indies needed that wicket, and now the advantage swings back their way.

Lara takes the final powerplay instantly. Collymore back into the attack.

Over 15: Another legside ball from Powell is flicked away for four by Vaughan to bring up a superb 50. He is then dropped from the next ball as he drives uppishly to cover where Samuels mistimes his leap anc can only palm the ball over the crossbar for two more runs. Vaughan takes the score to three figures with a single, and England continue to go along nicely although Vaughan is definitely struggling with an injury of some sort.
England 100/1 (RR: 6.67): Vaughan 55* (37), Bopara 26* (41)
England need 201 runs to win from 35 overs at 5.74 runs per over.

Vaughan 50: 33 balls, 5 x 4s, 2 x 6s

Over 14: Vaughan is down the ground to Gayle's second delivery and deposits it over long-on for a glorious six. Three more singles from the last four balls make it another good over for England.
England 93/1 (RR: 6.64): Vaughan 48* (32), Bopara 26* (40)
England need 208 runs to win from 36 overs at 5.78 runs per over.

Crucial change here, as Gayle replaces Taylor. We saw how hard Vaughan was to get away here earlier, so this is danger time for England.

Over 13: Fine-leg is up in the circle, so Powell bowls on leg stump. Bopara has the simple task of deflecting it down to the fine-leg fence, and England are making a real go of this at themoment. Bopara can't find the gaps with the next three, and then cuts a loose ball straight to point. He may feel he missed out there, and then drives the last ball straight to mid-off. Could have got much more from that over with better placement, playing some lovely shot for no reward.
England 84/1 (RR: 6.46): Vaughan 40* (27), Bopara 25* (39)
England need 217 runs to win from 37 overs at 5.86 runs per over.

Over 12: Taylor comes round the wicket to Bopara, and the ball comes off the pad for a leg-bye. Smith throws down the stumps, but Bopara is home and the ball ricochets away for four more leg-byes. Vaughan gets a single to third-man from the next ball. Bopara flicks to leg for another single, and Vaughan then evades a short ball from Taylor, still bowling round the wicket. The last ball of the over is short again, and this time Vaughan takes it on, middling the pull shot, and the ball eventually comes down about 20 rows back behind square-leg. Vaughan is on the charge here, and it's very much game on.
England 80/1 (RR: 6.67): Vaughan 40* (27), Bopara 21* (33)
England need 221 runs to win from 38 overs at 5.82 runs per over.

Over 11: Powell starts with a short ball, and Bopara pulls it behind square for four more. Powell wants to see if that was a fluke. It wasn't, as Bopara plays an even better shot well in front of square for four more. Good response from Powell, pitching one up and beating the bat. Almost a mix-up next ball as Bopara wants one but Vaughan doesn't and sends his partner back. Bopara gets himself between thrower and stumps and gets back safely. Bopara gets a single via the stumps at the non-striker's end from the final ball of the over.
England 67/1 (RR: 6.09): Vaughan 33* (24), Bopara 20* (30)
England need 234 runs to win from 39 overs at 6.00 runs per over.

The second powerplay is taken, and Powell replaces Collymore.

Over 10: Vaughan plays a quite magnificent pick-up over midwicket for a one-bounce four to bring up the 50 in fine style. The next ball disappears for four more, but it's less convincing this time, with a slight air of a slog. The next ball is a yorker, dug out by Vaughan who is called through for a quick single by Bopara. The Essex youngster adds a single with a pull to deep square-leg, and Vaughan gets a single to mid-off with the man right on the circle. Bopara takes a very dodgyu single from the final ball of the over, but Sarwan can't pick up cleanly and the chance is gone.
England 58/1 (RR: 5.80): Vaughan 33* (24), Bopara 11* (24)
England need 243 runs to win from 40 overs at 6.08 runs per over.

Over 9: Vaughan tries to pull, but the ball gets big on him and he makes no contact. Collymore not amused. Vaughan works the next ball through square-leg for two, and then gets a single to midwicket. Bopara drives hard down the ground, but Collymore stops effectively if painfully in his followthrough with his boot.
England 46/1 (RR: 5.11): Vaughan 23* (20), Bopara 9* (22)
England need 255 runs to win from 41 overs at 6.22 runs per over.

Over 8: Taylor's first ball is on leg stump, and Vaughan flicks it away to fine-leg for a single. Bopara then whips two balls to leg but picks out the fielders both times. The next ball is driven but straight to mid-on. Bopara does manage to pierce the field from the final ball of the over, getting the ball past cover for two runs.
England 43/1 (RR: 5.58): Vaughan 20* (17), Bopara 9* (19)
England need 258 runs to win from 42 overs at 6.14 runs per over.

First bowling change from Lara, bringing Taylor into the attack in place of Powell.

Over 7: Bopara sells Vaughan a dummy, and appropriately it's Samuels doing the fielding with the England captain stranded, but the throw is off target. Bopara gets three with a fantastic-looking on drive as Collymore overpitches. Vaughan comes down the track to the next ball and has to fend off a short ball from Collymore, but does get a single for it.
England 40/1 (RR: 5.71): Vaughan 19* (16), Bopara 7* (14)
England need 261 runs to win from 43 overs at 6.07 runs per over.

Over 6: Vaughan gets a single to deep point, and Bopara gets right across his stumps and flicks to fine-leg for another single.
England 36/1 (RR: 6.00): Vaughan 18* (15), Bopara 4* (9)
England need 265 runs to win from 44 overs at 6.02 runs per over.

Over 5: Bopara must be in great form; he's even middling it when he tries to leave the ball, getting it down to third-man for a single off the face of the raised bat. Vaughan then clips the ball sweetly through the legside again for three more. Another wide down the legside follows, before Bopara takes a tight single to cover that would have been interesting with a direct hit. Vaughan gets four with a thumping shot through the covers before getting two with a leading edge through the covers. Vaughan gets a scampered leg-bye from the final ball of the over.
England 34/1 (RR: 6.80): Vaughan 17* (12), Bopara 3* (6)
England need 267 runs to win from 45 overs at 5.93 runs per over.

Over 4: Vaughan gloves a ball into the offside for a single, and Bopara gets off the mark with a single behind point. Vaughan has a dart at a wide outside the off stump but makes no contact. The next ball is banged in short, and the England captain is on it in a flash, pulling dismissively through midwicket for four. The next ball is an attempted bouncer but it's way down the legside for a wide. Vaughan gets two more with a neat clip off his pads through midwicket to end a productive over for England.
England 21/1 (RR: 5.25): Vaughan 8* (8), Bopara 1* (3)
England need 280 runs to win from 46 overs at 6.09 runs per over.

Over 3: Bopara lets his first two balls go through to the keeper before solidly defending the last.
England 11/1 (RR: 3.67): Vaughan 1* (3), Bopara 0* (2)
England need 290 runs to win from 47 overs at 6.17 runs per over.

Bopara gets his chance up the order after impressing at the other end of the innings.

WICKET!
AJ Strauss c Smith b Collymore 7 (12)
Strauss gets four with a flick to fine-leg and then gets two with a thump through the covers. Then a rank long-hop from Collymore is just helped into the hands of square-leg when Strauss should have looked to play the shot with real conviction. It was there to be hit, and he just tried to paddle it.

Over 2: Strauss guides to third-man for a single, and Vaughan also gets off the mark in the same vein. Strauss gets a leg-bye to fine-leg, and Vaughan is beaten by the last two balls of the over, and the contrast to the profligate England opening bowlers is clear.
England 5/0 (RR: 2.50): Strauss 1* (9), Vaughan 1* (3)
England need 296 runs to win from 48 overs at 6.17 runs per over.

Powell to share the new ball.

Over 1: Collymore has obviously been watching England's bowlers as he starts with a wide down the legside with the left-handed Strauss on strike. The next two balls are nothing like anything the England quicks produced, though, both rearing up from back of alength and thumping into the handle of the bat. The second almost carries to first slip, and it looks a different game to when Gayle was just swinging through the line at the top of the first innings. The final ball of the over comes off the pad for a leg-bye, and this already looks a tricky task for England.
England 2/0 (RR: 2.00): Strauss 0* (6), Vaughan 0* (0)
England need 299 runs to win from 49 overs at 6.10 runs per over.

Collymore will bowl the first over of the innings.

Vaughan and Strauss follow the West Indies players out for the England run chase/meek capitulation for 156.

West Indies: 300 all out (49.5 overs)
England need 301 to win at 6.02 runs per over

Both teams probably reasonably happy with that. At the start of the innings, West Indies would have settled for that. After 40 terrible overs from the England bowlers, they would definitely have taken it - West Indies lost six for just 50 in the last 10. Vaughan was comfortably the pick of the England bowlers, and perhaps that will have a positive effect on his batting. One thing's clear - England can't afford to ignore the powerplays here. Someone will have to take them on. The lunch break will be a short one, because England's over-rate was almost as bad as their bowling.

WICKET!
CD Collymore run out (Flintoff) 1 (2) Collymore manages to get a single first ball and get Ramdin back on strike, and the little keeper then chips into the covers for a single to bring up the 300. Colltmore tries to get a single from the next ball, but Flintoff again gets the ball in his followthrough, this time throwing down the stumps at the non-striker's end. Good end to the innings for England.

Corey Collymore is last man in.

WICKET!
D Powell run out (Flintoff) 0 (1)
Ramdin gets a single before Powell digs out a yorker and sets off on a run. Unfortunately the ball has gone straight back to Flintoff who rolls the ball into the stumps as the batsman is sent back.

Flintoff to bowl the final over of the innings.

Over 49: Ramdin gets a single from the final ball of Vaughan's spell. And it's a fine one - three for 39 from his 10. Excellent work.
West Indies 297/8 (RR: 6.06): Ramdin 8* (9), Powell 0* (0)

Daren Powell is the new batsman for West Indies. He won't be on strike as the batsmen crossed.

WICKET!
JE Taylor c Dalrymple b Vaughan 12 (10)
Ramdin misses an attempted sweep before hitting to midwicket for a single. Taylor then misses out on a full-toss, hitting it straight for a single. Ramdin hits to long-off for another single and Taylor then tries to go over midwicket. Doesn't get enough on it, and Dalrymple takes a nicely-judged catch on the boundary.

Over 48: Taylor digs out a yorker from Flintoff and gets two as the ball goes out to deep backward square. Flintoff tries it again, and this time it's a low full-toss that Taylor whips through midwicket for two more. The next ball is driven through point for four, and the next one is unsurprisingly a bouncer that Taylor evades quite nicely. He gets two more with a chip over the covers and then blocks a yorker to end an expensive over. He can bat can Taylor.
West Indies 293/7 (RR: 6.10): Ramdin 5* (5), Taylor 11* (8)

Flintoff is back into the attack in place of Collingwood.

Over 47: A rare bad ball from Vaughan - a shin-high full-toss - and Ramdin whacks it over midwicket for four. He adds a single down the ground, and Taylor gets one to midwicket.
West Indies 283/7 (RR: 6.02): Ramdin 5* (5), Taylor 1* (2)

Jerome Taylor is the new batsman.

WICKET!
DJ Bravo c Dalrymple b Vaughan 13 (11)
Vaughan is having a great day withthe ball, as Bravo holes out to deep midwicket. West Indies could fall short of 300 here. Not that it matters. This should be plenty.

Over 46: Bravo gets a single to third-man, and Ramdin is then hit on the pad by an inswinger - only a thin inside edge saved him. Just three from the over.
West Indies 277/6 (RR: 6.02): Bravo 13* (10), Ramdin 0* (2)

Keeper-batsman Denesh Ramdin is the new batsman.

WICKET!
S Chanderpaul c Plunkett 34 (39)
Chanderpaul carves Collingwood over point for a single, and Bravo adds another with a bunt into the legside where there is no-one on the one. The next ball is way slower from Collingwood, and Chanderpaul is early on the shot. The bottom hand comes off the bat, and Plunkett has a simple catch at long-off.

Over 45: Bravo heaves the ball to leg for four as Vaughan drops short and then cuts hard behind point for two. Bravo flips the next ball over midwicket for a single, and Chanderpaul adds another with a controlled sweep.
West Indies 274/5 (RR: 6.09): Chanderpaul 33* (37), Bravo 11* (8)

Over 44: Bravo works a straight ball through midwicket for two, and gets the next ball to third-man for a single as Collingwood offers a fraction of width. Brilliant batting from Chanderpaul, placing a seemingly effortless drive perfectly between two fielders on the boundary for four.
West Indies 266/5 (RR: 6.05): Chanderpaul 32* (36), Bravo 4* (3)

Over 43: Bravo gets the last ball of the over through the legside for a single to end another excellent Vaughan over.
West Indies 259/5 (RR: 6.02): Chanderpaul 28* (32), Bravo 1* (1)

Dwayne Bravo is the new batsman.

WICKET!
MN Samuels c Collingwood b Vaughan 51 (39)
Big wicket for England after a couple of singles, as Samuels slaps the ball straight to Collingwood at short midwicket, who holds on to a sharp catch - that ball was travelling. Vaughan in the middle of a very handy spell here.

Over 42: Three singles in the first four balls, the last of which takes Samuels to a brilliant 50, soured only by the fact he ran Lara out. Two dot balls end the over, and that's another good one for England.
West Indies 256/4 (RR: 6.10): Samuels 50* (37), Chanderpaul 27* (29)

Samuels 50: 37 balls, 6 x 4s, 1 x 6

Collingwood is back into the attack.

Over 41: Samuels hits Vaughan down the ground for a single, and Chanderpaul shovels another into the legside. Samuels nurdles a single to leg, and Chanderpaul survives an optimistic lbw shout from Vaughan. Good over though, just three from it.
West Indies 253/4 (RR: 6.17): Samuels 48* (35), Chanderpaul 26* (25)

Over 40: Four more to Samuels as he gets a thick inside edge between his own legs to the boundary. The next ball from Flintoff is an attempted yorker, but Samuels still gets it down the ground for a single. Chanderpaul gets a single to leg, and England - determined to prove just how bad they are - are now getting the absolute runaround from a team who have ben soundly beaten by every other serious cricket nation in the Super Eight. Samuels carves to third-man two to bring up the 250. Which is probably 100 too many already.
West Indies 250/4 (RR: 6.25): Samuels 46* (32), Chanderpaul 25* (22)

Over 39: Samuels drives to deep cover for a single, and Chanderpaul then pulls a short ball from Vaughan for four. A nudge into the legside gets a single, and Samuels gets another from the final ball of the over. West Indies flying here, and England clueless about preventing it happening.
West Indies 243/4 (RR: 6.23): Samuels 40* (29), Chanderpaul 24* (19)

Over 38: Chanderpaul gets four with agenuine edge over the slip cordon, and Flintoff is immediately under pressure. Chanderpaul cuts for a single from the second ball, and Samuels adds another. A cover drive from Chanderpaul gets two to bring up the 50 partnership in quick time, and another edge gets four more for the left-hander. Twelve runs from another good over for West Indies.
West Indies 236/4 (RR: 6.21): Samuels 38* (26), Chanderpaul 19* (16)

Flintoff is back into the attack.

Over 37: Four dot balls from Vaughan before Chanderpaul can get the ball to cover for one. Samuels blocks the final ball of the over, and again Vaughan proves tricky to get away.
West Indies 224/4 (RR: 6.05): Samuels 37* (25), Chanderpaul 8* (11)

Vaughan is back into the attack. He's been the one bowler to offer control so far.

Over 36: Glorious batting from Samuels, getting his front foot out of the way and smashing Plunkett straight down the ground over the sightscreen for six. The next ball is played down to third-man for a single, and Chanderpaul then places a drive through the covers for three as Bopara gives pursuit, hauling the ball back just inside the rope. Another wide down the legside from Plunkett takes that particular extra's contribution to 14. A no-ball from Plunkett is then hammered through midwicket for four, and the wheels are coming off for England again as Samuels tees off. Samuels adds another four with a pull shot through midwicket, and that's poor bowling from Plunkett, who then bowls a rank bad ball outside the off stump that Samuels gleefully hammers through the covers for yet another boundary. Just the 24 runs from the over, and the momentum is suddenly all with the hosts again. England will be chasing well over 300 here, which can be tricky when you're 100 for three off 30 overs...
West Indies 223/4 (RR: 6.19): Samuels 37* (24), Chanderpaul 7* (6)

Over 35: Samuels hammers back-to-back boundaries through the covers and then gets two with a hoik into the legside. Another pull shot gets two more, and Broad is going for a few here. Samuels backs away and carves the final ball of the over to third-man for a single, and he looks to have put that run-out out of his mind now.
West Indies 199/4 (RR: 5.69): Samuels 18* (19), Chanderpaul 4* (4)

Over 34: Plunkett fails to adjust the line for the left-hander, bowling a wide down the legside and then a ball on Chanderpaul's hips that is flicked to the fine-leg boundary for four. Plunkett does then make the adjustment, and Chanderpaul defends the last three balls of the over.
West Indies 186/4 (RR: 5.47): Samuels 5* (13), Chanderpaul 4* (4)

Shiv Chanderpaul is the new batsman.

WICKET!
RR Sarwan c Nixon b Plunkett 3 (8)
Bit of a collapse on here as Sarwan gets a thin edge to an attempted cut shot to give Nixon a simple catch.

Over 33: Sarwan guides to third-man for a single, and Samuels gets a lucky two with a top edge over slip. Samuels then works to leg for a single, so just four from a tight Broad over.
West Indies 180/3 (RR: 5.45): Samuels 4* (12), Sarwan 3* (7)

The two final powerplays have been pretty good for England, yielding three wickets for 53 runs. Much better than the first powerplay.

Over 32: Sarwan gets off the mark with a cut to third-man for a single. Samuels gets off the mark with a single to square-leg, and a rare misfield from Collingwood allows Sarwan another single from the final ball of the over, and the powerplay.
West Indies 176/3 (RR: 5.50): Samuels 1* (8), Sarwan 2* (5)

Plunkett is back into the attack.

Over 31: Samuels blocks the final ball of the over - amaiden for Broad, and he must be feeling a touch uncomfortable under the helmet after running out an absolute legend in his final innings.
West Indies 173/3 (RR: 5.58): Samuels 0* (7), Sarwan 0* (0)

WICKET!
BC Lara run out (Pietersen) 18 (17)
Heartbreaking end for Lara as Samuels pushes to mid-on and calls for a single. He changes his mind too late as Pietersen swoops and throws down the stumps with Lara stranded. Rapturous reception for Lara as he departs at the unfortunate end to his final innings.

Broad is back into the attack.

Over 30: Big leg-before shout against Samuels first ball, but it was probably missing leg, and the batsmen go through for a leg-bye. A stroke of luck for Lara follows, edging the ball straight to first slip. But Strauss is the sole slipper and he's stood at second. Four runs to Lara, and the cricketing gods smiling on the great man.
West Indies 173/2 (RR: 5.77): Lara 18* (17), Samuels 0* (1)

Marlon Samuels is the new batsman for West Indies, and the players have a drink while he comes to the crease. What a catch that was from Collingwood - among the best we've seen in this tournament.

WICKET!
DR Smith c Collingwood b Flintoff 61 (106)
Breathtaking from Collingwood. Smith drives uppishly into the offside, and Collingwood throws himself into the air to pluck the ball one-handed as it flashed over his head. Not the first time he's taken a stunner in that region, and probably not the last. Remember the one to get Matthew Hayden in 2005? This was just as good. Stunning catch, and England needed that wicket.

Over 29: Lara flicks the ball to the fine-leg fence as Anderson errs in line and then pushes wide of Pietersen at mid-off for a single. Smith hits with more authority through the same area for four when offered width by Anderson, and then plays to third-man for a single. Two dot balls end the over, but it's still a good one for the Windies.
West Indies 166/1 (RR: 5.72): Smith 60* (104), Lara 13* (14)

Over 28: Classic Lara, smashing a square drive for four from that trademark high backlift. Flintoff responds with a bouncer that Lara goes underneath and then the leg-stump yorker which can bowl Lara behind his legs, but this time he gets bat on ball for a single. Smith capitalises on a short, wide ball from Flintoff, smashing it over the top of cover for a second boundary in the over.
West Indies 156/1 (RR: 5.57): Smith 55* (102), Lara 8* (10)

Vaughan takes the final powerplay. I say Vaughan, but he's off the field apparently. So Strauss takes the final powerplay.

Over 27: Anderson beats Lara with a good one that goes across the left-handed legend, who must apparently be referred to as 'Brian Charles Lara' at all times. 'Brian Lara' or, heaven forfend, just 'Lara' simply won't do. Lara gets a second single with a click to fine-leg, and Smith adds another with a drive wide of mid-off that is smartly gathered by Pietersen. Lara gets a single to third-man, and Smith miscues an attempted pull back to Anderson to end the powerplay.
West Indies 147/1 (RR: 5.44): Smith 51* (100), Lara 3* (6)

Final over of the second powerplay coming up.

Over 26: Flintoff joins the extras party with a no-ball, and Smith then guides to third-man for a single to bring up a turgid half-century. His slow scoring perhaps contributed to Gayle throwing his wicket away. He's got to go on to make a biggie here. Lara works to leg for a single to get off the mark. Judging by the cheers, you'd have thought he'd just hit the winning runs in the final.
West Indies 144/1 (RR: 5.54): Smith 50* (98), Lara 1* (2)

Smith 50: 96 balls, 4 x 4s

Over 25: Smith gets four with a genuine edge through the vacant first-slip area. No luck for Anderson, who follows it with another wide down the legside. Smith gets two and Anderson then bowls two more wides down the legside. Very poor bowling, applying no pressure after the fall of a wicket. Smith pushes to mid-off for a single as Anderson finally gets one straight.
West Indies 141/1 (RR: 5.64): Smith 49* (92), Lara 0* (1)

Over 24: Lara blocks the final ball of the over to huge cheers.
West Indies 131/1 (RR: 5.46): Smith 42* (86), Lara 0* (1)

A guard of honour from the England boys as Lara strides to the crease for the final time in international cricket. The crowd were already on their feet to acknowledge Gayle's swashbuckling efforts. They stayed on their feet. Not many people get a standing ovation on their way to the crease. This one deserves it, though.

WICKET!
CH Gayle c Broad b Flintoff 79 (58)
Gayle tries to cash in on the powerplay here, and slices a drive over the top of cover, with just enough on the ball to take it over the rope for four runs. He tries to cut three balls later, but can only carve the ball to third-man where Broad dives forward and takes a fine catch.

Over 23: Smith pushes through the covers for two, and gets a single to third-man from the third ball of the over. Gayle goes for the big shot as expected, but carves it high to third-man, and Plunkett diving full-length can't quite get there to take the catch. Decent effort from Plunkett, but poor running from Gayle who gets only a single.
West Indies 127/0 (RR: 5.52): Gayle 75* (53), Smith 42* (86)

Anderson is back into the attack, and the second powerplay is taken. Crucial period here, as the batsmen will surely look to get the run-rate going the right way again.

Over 22: Gayle drives the first ball of the over for a single, which won't worry England. Smith plays and misses outside the off stump and after wasting three more balls finally gets the single from the fifth ball. Again, England won't mind that. Just two singles from the over, and some pressure at last on West Indies.
West Indies 123/0 (RR: 5.59): Gayle 74* (51), Smith 39* (82)

Flintoff is back into the attack. Still no sign of the second powerplay.

Over 21: Gayle gets a single from the first ball of Vaughan's third over, and after two dot balls, Smith cuts for two and then follows with a single. Gayle gets another single from the final ball of the over.
West Indies 121/0 (RR: 5.76): Gayle 73* (49), Smith 38* (78)

Over 20: Smith gets a quick single to mid-off, and Gayle then gets four with an astonishing piece of timing, just pushing the ball into the legside and watching it race to the boundary. Top class. The next ball is powered down the ground for a single, and Collingwood is then able to end the over with dot balls to Smith, who is in danger of piling too much pressure on Gayle here.
West Indies 116/0 (RR: 5.80): Gayle 71* (47), Smith 35* (74)

Over 19: Three more dot balls from Vaughan before Smith hits down the groun d for a single. An excellent over ends with a ball that turns and bounces past Gayle's outside edge. Just a single from it, and Vaughan showing why he should stay in the one-day team - as a bowler.
West Indies 110/0 (RR: 5.79): Gayle 66* (45), Smith 34* (70)

Over 18: Just three singles from Collingwood's over, and at last there as it least some sort of control over the run-rate for England.
West Indies 109/0 (RR: 6.06): Gayle 66* (43), Smith 33* (66)

Over 17: Vaughan starts with five dot balls before Smith gets a single from the final ball of the over. That's better. Well done, skipper.
West Indies 106/0 (RR: 6.24): Gayle 65* (41), Smith 31* (62)

Vaughan decides after the shambolic efforts from the rest of his bowlers he might as well have a go himself.

Drinks. Another truly abysmal effort from England. Gayle has batted exactly as he has through the tournament - standing still and swinging the bat. Every other team worked him out. England haven't. All the bowlers have been appalling, and the fielding has been little better.

Over 16: Smith works to leg for a single, and Gayle adds another sharp run to square-leg. Smith hits down the ground for a third single, but that's a better over from Collingwood.
West Indies 105/0 (RR: 6.56): Gayle 65* (41), Smith 30* (56)

Over 15: A Plunkett misfield on the boundary allows Smith's cut shot to reach the boundary. That brings up West Indies' 100, and it's fitting that the runs were - like so many others - gifted by England. Smith defends Dalrymple into the covers and gets a single, and gayle blocks the final ball of the over. A rarity.
West Indies 102/0 (RR: 6.80): Gayle 64* (40), Smith 28* (51)

Over 14: Gayle hammers Collingwood down the ground, and despite Anderson being on the dence at long-on the ball still thunders into the hoardings. Gayle chips into the legside for a single, and Smith pushes to cover for another. Collingwood sticks one down the legside for yet another wide, well taken by Paul Nixon stood up to the stumps. Another expensive over.
West Indies 97/0 (RR: 6.93): Gayle 64* (39), Smith 23* (46)

Over 13: Gayle works Dalrymple to leg for an easy single. Smith survives a huge lbw shout as the arm-ball comes back into the left-hander. Didn't read that at all and lucky to survive. The next ball from Dalrymple is fractionally down the legside so called wide. Dalrymple does have Smith in a spot of bother during that over, so some small victory for England.
West Indies 90/0 (RR: 6.92): Gayle 59* (34), Smith 22* (45)

Over 12: Smith guides the first ball to third-man and runs hard to get back for two runs. The next ball is whipped to deep midwicket for a single. Gayle smashes the next ball down the ground, and it almost decapitates Simon Taufel on its way to the fence. Gayle shows he's thinking about things by dabbing the next ball to third-man for a single. He's been awful throughout the tournament, but is giving England the runaround today. Six bowlers used by Vaughan, and he's still looking for one to slow this run rate.
West Indies 88/0 (RR: 7.33): Gayle 58* (33), Smith 22* (40)

Paul Collingwood is into the attack. The sixth bowler used in just 12 overs.

Over 11: Gayle crashes the first ball from Dalrymple to the point boundary to bring up an astonishing 29-ball half-century. He adds a single with a deft deflection to third-man before another short ball from Dalrymple is cut away for four more by Smith. Smith sweeps fine on the legside for two and gets one more with a single on the legside. Terrible start from Dalrymple, and the end of the powerplay overs has no effect on the scoring rate. Hard to put into words just how bad England have been today.
West Indies 80/0 (RR: 7.27): Gayle 53* (31), Smith 19* (36)

Gayle 50: 29 balls, 6 x 4s, 3 x 6s

Dalrymple is into the attack, and - as I'm sure you've already worked out - England do not take the second powerplay.

Over 10: Sensible batting from Gayle, blocking the first ball from Flintoff into the covers for a single. Smith gets anotherwith a firm cut to third-man, and Gayle gets another single to third-man. Three dot balls end the over, and Flintoff does at least offer his skipper some much-needed control.
West Indies 68/0 (RR: 6.80): Gayle 48* (28), Smith 12* (33)

Unsurprisingly, a desperate Vaughan turns to Flintoff to try and make something happen. Something other than wides and sixes that is - those are happening plenty often enough.

Over 9: Broad bowls the seventh wide of the innings, and this is an embarrssing effort from England. It seems unlikely, but they could reach a new low here. Smith works to leg for a single. Chris Gayle's playing baseball, so Broad indulges him with a full-toss hammered to cover for a base hit, sorry for a single.
West Indies 65/0 (RR: 7.22): Gayle 46* (26), Smith 11* (29)

Over 8: Singles from the first two balls of the over before Gayle thumps the ball through the cover. No footwork, but none needed as he just swings the bat through the line. Gayle gets another boundary next ball with a huge slice of luck. He backs away, Plunkett follows him with a good bouncer that somehow deflects off the bat for four over the keeper's head. Gayle shows why all that backing away is nonsense by reverting to his no-footwork rule and smashing the next two balls for enormous sixes, first over long-off and then over long-on. Both were just length balls, and England need to react to this assault. Presumably by bringing Flintoff on.
West Indies 62/0 (RR: 7.75): Gayle 45* (25), Smith 10* (24)

Over 7: Gayle is going to play a shot a ball here, and almost chops on to his stumps trying to pull the ball away again. Broad squares Gayle up with a good one that the left-hander gets to third-man off the outside half of the bat for a single. Broad gets some extra bounce to Smith, and beats the attempted square cut. Good over from Broad, easily the best of the innings. Not saying much.
West Indies 40/0 (RR: 5.71): Gayle 24* (20), Smith 9* (23)

Over 6: Another extra from Plunkett, but to keep things interesting, on this occasion it's a no-ball. In fairness to Plunkett, it's a decent over that one ball apart, and Smith plays it out defensively.
West Indies 39/0 (RR: 6.50): Gayle 23* (17), Smith 9* (20)

Over 5: Broad beats Smith with his first ball, but the next is a touch full and driven for two runs. Smith adds a single before Gayle decides to take on the youngster, smashing two boundaries from reasonable deliveries, the first pulled through midwicket and the second hammered over the covers. Neither ball was short.
West Indies 38/0 (RR: 7.60): Gayle 23* (17), Smith 9* (13)

Early bowling change for England, with Broad into the attack early.

Over 4: Plunkett starts with two good balls outside the off stump, but then follows with the expected wide down the legside. Smith defends the next for a single before Gayle gropess uncertainly at one outside the off stump and misses. Nothing uncertain about the next one though, as Gayle hits through the line of a length delivery and levers the ball high into the stands at long-on. Glorious stroke, and West Indies have made a fine start here admittedly with more than a little help from the England opening bowlers.
West Indies 27/0 (RR: 6.50): Gayle 15* (15), Smith 6* (9)

Over 3: Woeful stuff this from England, as Anderson again drifts into the pads and is picked off for four by Gayle through square-leg. Two more singles from thoe over, and England don't look particularly keen to send Fletcher off in style.
West Indies 19/0 (RR: 6.33): Gayle 9* (12), Smith 5* (6)

Over 2: Plunkett starts with a ball that should have been called wide outside the off stump, and follows with one down the legside that is. A rogue straight ball is followed by another wide outside the off stump this time. Plunkett follows with a full-toss that Gayle slices to third-man for a single. Plunkett ends his poor over with a rank wide ball that Smith smashes to the point boundary.
West Indies 13/0 (RR: 6.50): Gayle 4* (7), Smith 4* (5)

Plunkett to share the new ball.

Over 1: Gayle gets off the mark with a fine leg-glance. Broad's first involvement in the World Cup is a good one, making an excellent sprawling stop on the boundary. Anderson follows with a wide outside the off stump, and repeats it two balls later. Wayward start here. Anderson is back on target with a yorker, but Gayle jabs down on it and gets a single through cover. Anderson bowls a third wide of a woeful first over.
West Indies 6/0 (RR: 6.00): Gayle 3* (4), Smith 0* (2)

James Anderson will bowl the first over of the innings.

Chris Gayle and Devon Smith will open the batting. Gayle has had a wretched tournament with the bat - can he take this final chance to shine?

The England players are out on the field, for what promises to be an emotional if pointless match.

England have won the toss and opted to bowl first.

So we're finally here - the last meaningless game of this interminable tournament pits together two teams battling for the right to be best of the rest.

Both teams have veered dramatically between mediocre and abysmal. Who will produce the matchwinning mediocre display today?

Of course, this game will be more significant becuase of two farewells - Duncan Fletcher and Brian Lara. Both men deserve to depart in a more important match than this, but such is life.

England have made three changes for their final World Cup game. Ian Bell is out of the side, with Ravi Bopara likely to move up the order to three and Andrew Strauss opening. Liam Plunkett, Stuart Broad and Jamie Dalrymple come in to the side, Saj Mahmood and Monty Panesar the other men to make way.

West Indies name the same XI who saw off Bangladesh.

Teams:

West Indies:
C H Gayle , D S Smith , S Chanderpaul , M N Samuels , R R Sarwan , B C Lara (capt) , D J Bravo , D Ramdin (wkt) , D B Powell , C D Collymore , J E Taylor

England:

A J Strauss , M P Vaughan (capt) , R S Bopara , K P Pietersen , P D Collingwood , A Flintoff , J W M Dalrymple , P A Nixon (wkt) , L E Plunkett , S C J Broad , J M Anderson