England will be looking to score quickly at the start of the final day’s play on Monday with the hope of setting the West Indies a decent target to chase before the second Test concludes in Manchester.
Following Saturday’s complete washout due to heavy rain, the West Indies resumed their score on 32-1 this morning on what was a perfect day for cricket at Old Trafford.
Rain leaves England needing a miracle
Trying to bat as long and deep as possible, the visitors were, however, up against a determined English bowling attack.
Nightwatchman Alzarri Joseph was the first batsman to depart after a valiant and well composed 32 that saw him share a valuable second-wicket partnership of 54 with opener Kraigg Brathwaite.
Shai Hope looked to make the most of his stay at the crease and with a decent opportunity to regain some much needed confidence, he departed for 25 with Sam Curran picking up the wicket.
Braithwaite kicked on and brought up a well-played half-century before he was caught and bowled by the ever-reliant Ben Stokes for 76.
Stuart Broad got in on the action and dismissed Sharmath Brooks at a crucial stage of the match, just when the middle-order batsman started to look dangerous with his score on 68.
Broad then began to make inroads by dismissing both Jermaine Blackwood and Shane Dowrich for ducks before Chris Woakes got rid of the dangerous Jason Holder for 2 as the West Indies slumped to 260-8.
Stokes’ ton put England on top
Woakes then also bagged the final two wickets when he trapped Roston Chase in front before cleaning bowling tail-ender Shannon Gabriel – the West Indies all out for 287 and 182 runs behind England’s first innings total.
With only 10 overs left in the day, the hosts decided to open the batting with Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes with the idea of going on the attack from the outset.
But, the plan backfired immediately as Buttler played a Kemar Roach delivery onto his stumps off for 0 in the very first over before Roach knocked over Zak Crawley as well for 11.
Stokes and captain Joe Root saw out the rest of the day with England finishing on 37-2 – a lead of 219 runs.
