For the very first time ever since this Test match started, we saw the bright sun out there which meant 90 overs were going to be bowled. It was quite evident that England were going to be reliant on James Anderson and Mark Wood to provide some early breakthroughs in the innings.
It didn’t take long for Jofra Archer to trap Shai Hope for LBW only to see that was a no-ball on referral. Dom Bess then picked Hope’s wicket in the next over as he was caught at first slip by Ben Stokes trying to drive a widish delivery. As soon as Stokes came into the attack, Kriagg Brathwaite took the charge and hit three fours in one over. In the very same over Stokes then trapped him LBW to bounce back as he walked back after scoring a well made 65.
West Indies secure a crucial first-innings lead
West Indies were 157/3 at lunch and looked to take the lead as they were in a commanding position. Soon, Dom Bess started troubling Roston Chase as he looked uncomfortable facing the off-spinner. As Bess continued to build on the pressure, James Anderson produced a peach of a delivery to dismiss Brooks. Brooks reviewed to everyone’s surprise as it was visible that he had nicked it quite clearly.
The new man in Jermaine Blackwood didn’t last long at the crease as he throws his wicket away by drilling one down into the hands of the man at wide mid-off. The pressure was on Roston Chase & Shane Dowrich as they looked to build a partnership. Further, the duo went on to add 81 runs for the 6th wicket partnership before Chase was trapped LBW by Anderson.
Roston Chase’s wicket started a downfall for West Indies as they went from 267/6 to 318/10 in less than 12 overs time. It also included the priced wicket of Jason Holder, who was dismissed cheaply by Ben Stokes. With West Indies all out with a strong lead of 114 runs on the board, the English openers walked to bat in the final session of the day.
With England 15/0 at stumps on day 3, the openers were able to stick in till the end of the session. The morning session of the fourth day will be crucial for England to save the game.
Brief Scores: England 204 (Ben Stokes 43, Jos Buttler 35; Jason Holder 6-42, Shannon Gabriel 4-62) & 15/0 in 10 overs trail West Indies 318 in 102 overs (Kraigg Brathwaite 65, Shane Dowrich 61; Ben Stokes 4-49, James Anderson 3-62) by 99 runs
