A cautiously played, disciplined knock from the batting pair of Ben Stokes and Dominic Sibley helped England bring up 100 in the 42nd over after losing quick wickets. England managed to reach 112/3 at Tea on the opening day of the second Test of #raisethebat series at Old Trafford on Thursday. ALSO READ | ENG vs WI, 2nd Test, Day 1: Roston Chase Strikes To Remove Burns; England 29/1 At Lunch
In a major blow to England's hope of posting a big first-innings total, Roston Chase gave Windies what they wanted on the final ball before Lunch as he removed Burns (15) to break the dangerous-looking opening wicket partnership.
Coming back from the Lunch break, spinner Chase made it two in two as he departed Zak Crawley for a duck and it was Joe Root who faced the hat-trick ball but managed to save his wicket. After first 21 overs, England were 49/2.
After losing quick wickets, Root played cautiously as he settled in well to help England reach 50/2. After facing 91 balls of Day 1, 'patient batsman' Dom Sibley hit his first boundary. The batting pair of Root and Sibley steadied England's ship as they stitched a 50-run partnership after Chase's double strike.
In the 32nd over, paceman Alzarri Joseph got the big fish as he removed Joe Root (23 runs off 49 balls), who got a healthy outside edge in an attempt to go after the pacer. Interestingly, Root has been dismissed by Joseph in 4 of his last 5 Test innings against Windies. National hero Ben Stokes was the next man to the crease with England at 81/3.
The Windies bowlers attack were now dominating the England batsmen with variation in movement from the pitch. However, Ben Stokes and Dominic Sibley helped England bring up 100 in the 42nd over.
The toss and 2nd Test got delayed due to wet weather conditions. West Indies captain Jason Holder on Thursday won the toss and elected to bowl against England in the second Test.
West Indies have a 1-0 lead in the series following their four-wicket win in the first Test played at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
Teams:
England (Playing XI): Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Zak Crawley, Joe Root(c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler(w), Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad
West Indies (Playing XI): Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Shai Hope, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich(w), Jason Holder(c), Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel
ALSO WATCH | Here's how cricket academy is operating in times of Covid-19