Tim Bresnan is backing England to knock the West Indies' "last four lads" over quickly and clinch victory in the second Test.
West Indies paceman Rampaul 'frustrated' by failures of top order
Tim Bresnan feels England still have "a lot of hard work to do" to win the second Test against the West Indies - but is backing his team-mates to finish the job on day four at Trent Bridge.
The hosts seemed to have surrendered the advantage in the game on day three when they were bowled out for 428, giving them a lead of just 58 after they resumed in the morning on 259-2.
However, their seamers quickly set about the tourists, reducing them to 61-6 - meaning they are ahead by just three - by the close of play.
Bresnan claimed 3-10 in a superb six-over spell having also made a contribution with the bat, hitting an unbeaten 39 to help nudge England in front.
"It wasn't what we expected with the bat today, but we came back strong with the ball, certainly," he said.
"We could have capitulated and been bowled out for less than them but me and Stuart put on a bit of a partnership, got a 50-odd run lead and now they're six down which is pretty popular.
"To get them 61-6 is a phenomenal effort on that wicket. We still have a lot of hard work to do but I'm backing us to knock the last four lads over without them getting too much of a lead.
"But it doesn't really matter how many they get from here, I'm backing the batsmen to chase anything."
Exasperation
Ravi Rampaul, who aided the West Indies fightback with a disciplined bowling return of 3-75, could not hide his exasperation at the failure of the top order.
"It's tough watching the top six batsmen get out after the bowlers worked so hard in the first two sessions," said the seamer.
"It's frustrating. It isn't easy to bowl 120-odd overs and then look at your batsmen not applying themselves and losing their wickets. I ask them to focus more, apply themselves a bit more and they will get there."
At least the West Indies had performed well with the ball, including working over Jonny Bairstow to dismiss the young batsman for just four. The Yorkshireman struggled to deal with a succession of short balls from Kemar Roach before being caught at mid-on off a leading edge.
"We know he doesn't like the short deliveries," said Rampaul. "It's in our plan. Roach is our fastest bowler and he executed it well."
Bresnan, though, does not see a technical weakness in his county colleague, who was handed his debut in the series opener at Lord's, and backed him to come good at the highest level.
"Whenever I've seen him play for Yorkshire he seems to whack it out the park," he added. "I can see his predicament but don't think he's too worried about it and I'm certainly not worried it for him."
