After a weather delayed the first Day of crickets return in
England, Day two started off as another shoddy batting performance from the
Three Lions. A mix of both poor batting and excellent bowling contributed to
England’s Lunch time position, sitting at 106-5. Rory Burns and Joe Denly
returned to the crease on the second morning looking to build a platform but
that partnership was short lived, Shannon Gabriel exploiting Joe Denly’s
technical issue with the in swinging delivery as Denly was bowled by a brilliant
90mph delivery. Denly started off slightly erratic playing and missing at a few
deliveries before his inevitable downfall, its got to be time to move on from
the 34 year old, he’s got one more chance in the second innings he really needs
some runs then.
Before any wicket fell, Rory Burns managed to score his 1000th
run for England, the first opener to do so since Alistair Cook at the Oval all
the way back in 2007. His jubilation was short lived as the left hander’s
promising innings was ended on 30 when he was yorked by Gabriel, the big fast
bowler causing havoc for the England top order.
The next in was Zak Crawley, the young man who is likely to
miss out in the second test when Root returns. Crawley looked decent when
leaving the ball and playing straight but this didn’t last too long as playing
round a straight one he was LBW to the ever impressive Jason Holder, the number
one test match all-rounder in the world and this morning really did show why,
Holder was slightly short yesterday and at the start of the morning but
adjusted his line and caused a lot of problems to both Stokes, Crawley and
Pope. Crawley gone for ten, the latter of the three I just mentioned, Pope,
came out and looked to be in fine form as he clipped a four off his legs and
played an Ian Bell esq cover drive. However, the young man then gave away his
good start when he tickled at a shortish length delivery from Holder and Pope
was then also out for 13. Stokes was beaten a few times by Roach but the stand
in captain and Wicket-keeper Jos Buttler consolidated to lunch.
The afternoon session started of extremely well for England
considering the position that the three lions were in before the Lunch break.
Stokes and Buttler looked extremely positive against Gabriel and Joseph while
Holder steadied the flow of runs from one end. Stokes was dropped twice once by
Roach with a difficult catch down at fine leg but also an easier chance at
short extra cover which was a dolly. This was a big innings for Jos Buttler who
looked positive from the start, playing his natural aggression seemed to work
wonders for his confidence. Their blossoming partnership was then ended when
Stokes was caught behind playing across the line to Jason Holder, who was
simply outstanding. Holder’s magical day continued when he got Buttler caught
behind with a beauty, Buttler looked slightly stuck on the crease but give all
credit to the bowler.
The last wickets fell swiftly, Archer and Wood both
dismissed by Holder to complete his best bowling figures, 6-42. A short cameo
from Dom Bess of 31 from 44 balls was short lived as Gabriel returned to clean
up Jimmy Anderson and the meagre England innings was all out for 204.
It was then the West Indies turn to bat and it was
interesting to see that the pitch did not seem like too much of a minefield at
the start of the innings. Anderson was doing Anderson things and got Campbell LBW
for 12, or so he thought, the left-handed opener reviewed and like the reviews
all day, it went in the West Indies favour. The same thing happened again after
the players returned to the field after a bad light break, Jimmy pinned
Campbell for 24 before the decision was once again overturned thanks to the
review system. England’s luck finally turned as Anderson finally got his man
LBW for 28, this time Campbell’s review failed him. Shai Hope and Kraigg Brathwaite
then saw out the rest of the overs to leave the 2nd day firmly in
West Indies hands, they are perfectly set up for a big score tomorrow as the weather
looks great for batting.
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