Innings epitomised one of the greatest

DAILY STAR assistant sports editor NICK RIPPINGTON recalls being among 10,000 England fans in the West Indies on April 2, 2004, to witness one of Graham Thorpe’s finest hours

- DAILY STAR assistant sports editor NICK RIPPINGTON

THE ball was moving around and the West Indies quick bowlers had their tails up.

With England on just 33, with three wickets already down as they chased a first-innings deficit of 224, a Test series was on the line.

Michael Vaughan’s men had already won the first two Tests in Jamaica and Trinidad and West Indies were hurting.

Their proud superstar Brian Lara didn’t want to become the first captain to lose the first home series against England since 1969.

At that moment Graham Thorpe (inset) walked to the wicket, trademark white headband tucked under his blue helmet.