West Indies Take Control of the First Test- England vs West Indies, Test 1, Day 2
England began the day one down and looked to push on the first full day of test cricket. But that hope was short lived when Joe Denly was bowled off the bowling of Shannon Gabriel. Denly was left shocked as the delivery nipped back off the pitch and through his guard, removing the bails.
Rory Burns fell soon after for 30, once again Shannon Gabriel was the one to dismiss the England batsman. Burns, originally given not out by the umpires was eventually given out after a clever review by the West Indies Captain, Jason Holder.
There was a small period of stability for England with Stokes and Crawley at the crease. But Crawley soon fell lbw to Jason holder, another successful review for the West Indies saw the England batsman depart. The morning session saw the West Indies firmly take control of the game.
The West Indies continue to tighten their grip on the game with Jason Holder finding the outside edge of Pope’s bat.
Jos Butler and captain Ben Stokes momentarily stopped the England collapse and started to up the scoring rate and put pressure on the West Indian bowling attack. However, Stokes soon fell to the bowling of Jason holder midway through the afternoon. Shortly after the departure of the England captain, Butler was also out in a similar fashion.
The collapse of England’s batting order continued when Jofra Archer was given out lbw upon review for 0. Archer became the fifth wicket in Holders five wicket haul, the seventh of his test career.
England lost their ninth wicket soon after with Mark Wood edging the ball into the slip cordon.
The final wicket pairing of Anderson and Bess battled and managed to get England’s total to 204 but were eventually all out after Gabriel bowled Anderson.
The England captain was England’s highest run-scorer with 47, with Buttler showing poise and control with his total of 35. The West Indies bowling attack restricted any high scoring innings from the England batsman and managed to hold every batsman below the half-century mark.
The West Indian bowling attack gave their side the upper hand with a potent and precise attack in good bowling conditions.
The West Indies then began their first innings. Ever present Jimmy Anderson opened the bowling for England and began to probe the West Indies batting line-up. It seemed that Anderson had taken the opening wicket of the innings, but once again it was overturned after a clever review by West Indian batsman John Campbell.
Bad light then stopped play with the West Indies leaving the field twenty one without loss.
Play resumed and England thought they had got the breakthrough they desperately needed. But once again, the West Indies reviewed the decision which was overturned.
Moments later, Jimmy Anderson got his wicket. He hit the pads of Campbell for the third time in as many overs; Campbell as he had done before, reviewed the decision but this time failed in his attempt and the decision of out was confirmed.
Play was called off due to bad light with the West Indies finishing on 57-1 and only 147 behind England’s total. This was a day very much controlled and dominated by the West Indies. They rattled through the England batting line-up and managed to make a good start in their first innings.
This was a very impressive by the West Indies and especially by their captain Jason Holder who finished with career best figures of 6-42. England were unable to gain any foothold in the game and will start day 3 very much on the backfoot. England will have a lot of work to do if they are to get anything from this game.
