After a shaky start in the first Test, Jason Holder and Nkrumah Bonner have resurrected the West Indies.
On day two of the primary test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Britain lead the West Indies by 109 runs after limiting them to 202-4. West Indies were battling at 127-4 when Jason Holder and Nkrumah Bonner put on a relentless unbroken stand of 75 runs till early stumps.
The twosome took no chances and advertised no chances, and they effectively dealt with an Britain assault that was essentially ineffective. Holder, 43 not out, and Bonner, 34 not out, combined for 75 runs at small over two runs per over until a fourth shower stopped play and stumps were pulled.
Their performance contrasted with the innings’ brisk start.
After England was bowled out for 311 from 268-6 overnight, the openers; skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and the returned John Campbell, coasted.
Brathwaite and Campbell sailed past lunch, hitting 13 boundaries and a six until Campbell’s death ended their 83-run stand. Campbell was 35 yards down the leg side.
Brathwaite got his fifty in just 62 balls, but was bowled out for 55 by Mark Wood, a quick bowler.
On 18, Shamarh Brooks edged Ben Stokes to the slips, while Jermaine Blackwood was dropped on 0 by Wood. However, the damage was minor, as Blackwood was dismissed for 11 runs by Chris Woakes; when umpire Joel Wilson’s decision was appealed and overturned.
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West Indies lost 44-4 in 16 overs after reaching 83 without loss, putting a promising start in jeopardy.
Holder and Bonner, on the other hand, blocked well and punished any stray balls.
They got through a period of reverse swing and nine straight maidens from spinner Jack Leach, but the pressure wasn’t delivered evenly.
In the absence of James Anderson and Stuart Board, as well as the injured Ollie Robinson; Woakes and Craig Overton led the England attack for the first time, and while getting a wicket apiece, they failed to impress with the new ball and the old ball. Apart from a handful of overs of spin from part-timer Joe Root, they were the most expensive.
Wood was always a threat, and Stokes was always on the lookout.
But, when the wind built up between showers, Holder and Bonner became a little more daring; giving the West Indies hope of making the test a long one.
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England began the day by batting, gaining only 43 runs to its overnight total.
Before becoming last man out, Jonny Bairstow went from 109 to 140 off 259 balls, slashing high to backward point. Jayden Seales and Alzarri Joseph, both fast bowlers, shared the last four wickets, with Seales finishing with 4-79.