England Battle Through to the End of Play- England vs West Indies, Test 1, Day 3
The West Indies began the day on 57-1 and managed the reach the 100-run milestone before lunch.
England believed they had made the breakthrough they desperately needed with Archer trapping Shai Hope on the creasing and getting him lbw. However, once again like the West Indies have done all test correctly reviewed the decision. The decision was overturned due to Archer bowling a no ball. This was a lucky reprieve for Hope and the West Indies.
Luckily for England managed to get their man in Hope out in the next over. Spinner Dom Bess dragged Hope forward, the ball found the outside edge and then the safe hands on Ben Stokes at first slip. This was the breakthrough that England needed.
England got their second breakthrough of the morning session with Ben Stokes getting opening batsman Braithwaite. Braithwaite who scored 65, was confirmed to be out upon reviewed after it showed the ball marginally hitting the wickets on umpire’s call.
The West Indies surpassed England’s total and began to stretch their lead. England desperately needed a wicket. The ever reliable and prolific James Anderson supplied one. Anderson hit the pads of Roston Chase, but the delivery was given not out by the on-field umpire, another decision that would be reversed upon appeal. Chase’s strong innings of 47 came to an end and gave England their well needed breakthrough.
England then managed to get the danger man, Jason Holder out cheaply. The number one ranked all-rounder in the world and West Indian captain hooked a short ball off the bowling of Stokes but was caught on the boundary by Jofra Archer. This was a massively important wicket for England.
As the West Indies lead passed 100, they lost their eighth wicket. Joseph who was scoring quickly, was undone by the bowling of Ben Stokes and was finally out for 18.
Stokes struck again a few overs later, getting the wicket of Shane Dowrich. Dowrich played a classy innings but fell for 61 as he was caught behind as the ball hit the back of his bat.
The West Indies were bowled out for 318 with a lead of 114 in the first innings. Mark Wood removed the middle stump and with it took the wicket of Shannon Gabriel. The batting line-up of the West Indies was strong with contributions throughout the order which allowed them to take a lead into the second innings.
The England bowling attack was inspired by first time captain Ben Stokes. His wickets came at key moments in the innings and provided a new lease of life for his side. His figures of 4-49 paired nicely with Jimmy Anderson who bowled 11 maidens out of his 25 overs alongside 3 wickets.
England could not afford to have a repeat of their first innings. This innings would be crucial if England were to salvage anything from this test. England’s opening batsman were under pressure from the very first delivery; but the opening pair managed to survive the early onslaught and finished the day 15-0, trailing by 99 runs. The opening pair will look to massively improve on their first innings performance and create a strong platform for England’s batting line-up to build a lead going into the fourth innings of the match.
This was a frustrating day for England with periods in which they were on top, in which they were able to get a few wickets. But these periods were at times few and far between in which the West Indian batsman were able to score and stretch their lead, with some managing to go on and achieve half centuries.
