We’re into the series decider game as England face West Indies at Old Trafford. As predicted there were clear skies which meant there would be no rain today. Windies captain Jason Holder shocked everyone yet again as he won the toss and elected to bowl first.
England brought back Jofra Archer and James Anderson for Sam Curran and Zack Crawley. Whereas West Indies got the big man Rahkeem Cornwall in the playing XI for Alzarri Joseph. Openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley didn’t have the ideal start as Kemar Roach dismissed Sibley in the very first over LBW. Sibley had to walk back disappointed after putting up a great show in the 2nd Test.
England vs West Indies 2020: 3rd Test, Day 1 – Report
In walked the England captain at 3, who had to shift up one place as Crawling faced the axe. Holder brought Cornwall into the attack straight away as he started troubling both the batsmen with his off-breaks. Root’s short innings came to an end after he attempts a risky single challenging Roston Chase’s throw. England at 47 for two looked in trouble as Ben Stokes made his way out in the middle.
When Stokes started batting it looked as if he was carrying his form from the last Test. But innings was short-lived as Kemar Roach produced an absolute scorcher to dismiss Stokes. In walked Ollie Pope, who looked very comfortable facing the pacer bowlers. Rory Burns soon got out as Rahkeem Cornwall plucked a sharp catch at first slip off Chase’s bowling.
England now had two new batsmen at the crease as Jos Buttler and Pope. They took the charge putting up a 100-run partnership. Jos Buttler, who looked to put up a big score was seen charging up to Cornwall as he smashed him for two back to back sixes in one over.
Jason Holder soon had to remove Cornwall from the attack as Buttler was looking fiery against the spinners. England currently look under control after a steady partnership by Buttler and Pope. West Indies will be looking to pick some early wickets on the start of day 2 to make a comeback in the series-decider.
Brief Score – England 258/4 ( Ollie Pope: 91*, Jos Buttler: 56*; Kemar Roach: 2/56, Roston Chase: 1/24)
