England take control after West Indies’ last-wicket heroics at Trent Bridge

response to being hammered in the first Test and their fighting spirit was again on display as they scrapped a first-innings lead and pegged back England when Duckett and Pope were in full flow.

Joshua Da Silva (left) and Shamar Joseph defied England with a last-wicket stand of 71 (Photo: Getty Images)

The tension was palpable as Root and Brook rebuilt in challenging conditions late in the day, the umpires at one stage in discussion over the light.

The pitch, a contributing factor in the quality of the contest, remains good for batting and seems unlikely to provide any concerns for West Indies in their eventual run chase.

England are on course for a match-winning position and West Indies will have too much to do if they cannot take early wickets on Sunday. Still, there remains enough doubt over the eventual outcome.

Windies cash in as England lose the plot

West Indies reached 351-5 on a long second day in the dirt for England, who returned refreshed on Saturday morning and were excellent for much of the first session.

As four wickets fell for 31 runs, Chris Woakes claimed 3-25 including two in two balls in a 10-over spell, while Gus Atkinson had Sinclair well held by gully Brook, increasingly showing himself to be England’s best fielder.

But when last man Shamar Joseph joined Da Silva, at that point on 44, England inexplicably lost the plot. The field was spread for Da Silva in the hope of keeping the established batter quiet and exposing Joseph to more of the strike. It is a defensive tactic at odds with England’s positive philosophy, has failed previous England captains and did not work again here.

Da Silva played an extraordinary loft over the off side for six off Mark Wood, fit to bowl after suffering cramp on Friday, and top-edged the same bowler for another maximum.

Joseph grew in confidence and pulled Atkinson for successive sixes, including one that shattered the roof tiles in the Larwood and Voce Stand. West Indies moved ahead, Root was asked to bowl some off-spin dross into the pads of Da Silva, who swept three fours and hit a six over long-on.

Stokes did not bowl, England were bereft and Da Silva eyed a hundred. Joseph, though, got carried away and miscued Wood to mid-on, ending West Indies’ fun. (BBC)

The post England take control after West Indies’ last-wicket heroics at Trent Bridge appeared first on News Room Guyana.