The big bird is beckoning the West Indies aboard and I have a feeling the tourists can’t get home soon enough. Only four Tests. but it has been a long stretch away from the Caribbean for Brian Lara’s men because they have been comprehensively defeated for the second time this year by Michael Vaughan’s troops.

The Windies look like having to take more of the same when the final Test restarts this morning because England are 300 plus and Andrew Flintoff is still at the crease. England went into the game as overwhelming favourites, stuttered after a solid start and then re-confirmed their superiority over a side who look dispirited after giving it their best at Old Trafford and still coming up short.

After three wickets went relatively cheaply following Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss sharing a half-century partnership.  The stand of the day was that between captain Michael Vaughan and debutant Ian Bell, who went past 50 before nibbling at one outside the off stump - a similar shot to the one the captain would also fall to.

Flintoff and Geraint Jones have quickly become accustomed to batting together and they were unbeaten at the close. The crowd really love Flintoff wherever he plays and yesterday at The Oval was no exception.   He collected 72 off just 90 balls and if the Windies don’t get him out cheaply this morning they could be facing a huge England total… and a possible series whitewash.