The West Indies superstars Bonner and Holder put things back in position for WI after reducing the deficit to 109 at the end of the second day’s play in Antigua. The rain had brought an untimely end to the proceedings earlier.
After England struck with four early wickets, Bonner and Holder mounted an outstanding recovery with a 75-run stand. With 202 for 4 on the board when stumps were drawn on Wednesday, the hosts were able to keep England at bay.
English bowlers struggle to keep up with Bonner and Holder
England’s bowlers were disciplined, but they didn’t pose much of a danger to the West Indian batters. The West Indies batsmen, on the other hand, were on high alert and found it tough to score in the last session.
Rain halted play for approximately 25 minutes, but Bonner and Holder seemed unfazed when it resumed. They picked up where they left off, transporting the West Indies to safety.
Root removed Jack Leach from the attack after he bowled seven maidens in a row, but it was to no effect.
The English team tried to counterattack by nicking off some quick wickets post-lunch as West Indies got reduced to 127/4 after an 83-run opening partnership. On day 2, the rain had put a halt over the middle session to stop it early. Though West Indies lost quick wickets in the beginning, the English bowlers helped the visitors back into the game.
The English bowling blunders
The new ball swung around a lot, but Woakes and Overton didn’t hit their areas consistently enough, allowing the West Indies openers to get off to a fast start. Kraigg Brathwaite smashed seven boundaries in ten overs, attacking from the start and making the most of the pacers’ sloppy bowling.
After lunch, though, John Campbell was strangled for 35 minutes down the leg-side to end the initial stand. There was a flurry of wickets as a result of this.
Though WI reduced them to 48/4, the English team managed to strike 311 with due credit to Jonny Bairstow’s wonderful century. The partnership between Bairstow and Woakes won those 71. Bairstow fought 259 balls to revive England as West Indies fought back with wickets in the morning.
The special efforts from Bonner and Holder wrapped up things quickly.
Brief Scores
Brief scores: England 311 (Jonny Bairstow 140, Ben Foakes 42, Chris Woakes 28; Jayden Seales 4-79) lead West Indies202/4 (Kraigg Brathwaite 55, John Campbell 35, Jason Holder 43*, Nkrumah Bonner 34*) by 109 runs.
