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Martin Gough

Fletcher's farewell present a little late

Martin GoughBarbados - Duncan Fletcher was never going to play a high-profile role in his farewell game, even before Brian Lara hijacked it.

After six weeks of disappointment, England finally provided him with a World Cup performance to be proud of but it was much too late to secure a semi-final place.

Michael Vaughan’s men looked out of it when a woeful start from their the opening bowlers allowed openers Chris Gayle and Devon Smith to return to form and add 102 together in the first 15 overs, setting West Indies on course for the 300 mark.

But finally, after the stumbling displays of the last six weeks, England showed some aggression at the top of the order.

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Martin Gough

Lara party over too soon

Martin GoughBarbados - The streets of Bridgetown were buzzing early in the morning with a real sense of match-day occasion. There were reports in one newspaper of a “near riot” at the World Cup ticket office the previous day.

And, for the first time in this half-hearted tournament, a stadium was packed to the refurbished rafters, Kensington Oval bathed in sunlight, bedecked in flags and banners – many made especially for the occasion - and eagerly expectant.

This could have been a meaningless World Cup signing-off by two teams that had failed to live up to expectations, already eliminated from semi-final contention with just $50,000 prize money to play for.

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