File photo of West Indies batsman Jason Holder, Nkrumah Bonner.
West Indies batsmen put the England bowlers to a severe test on the second day of the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium here.
The hosts will resume with 109 runs behind and six wickets after upsets on the second day in Antigua and Barbuda.
At stumps, West Indies’ score was 202/4, with Nkrumah Bonner (34*) trailing the visitors by 109 runs and Jason Holder (43*) at the crease.
England’s reshuffled bowling attack showed mixed results after a tough day in Antigua Jonny Bairstow and co. Added 43 to the overnight score to post 311 in the first innings.
A poor start off the ball from England’s new opening pair of Chris Woakes and Craig Overton helped West Indies openers post a stand of 83 runs in just 19.3 overs as the reply began on a whim.
Captain Craig Brathwaite made a quick 55 while West Indies opener John Campbell made 35 before being dismissed.
Mark Wood, Ben Stokes and Jack Leach bowled cleanly, and four quick wickets in the afternoon session threatened to swing the momentum back in England’s favour.
But a stand of 75 after tea between Nkrumah Bonner and Jason Holder helped West Indies to a close 202/4 of 109 against a bowling attack that failed to immediately justify England’s unorthodox selection policy for the Caribbean tour. Stayed.
Brief Scores:
England 311 (Jonny Bairstow 140*, Ben Fox 42; Jaden Seals 4-79) vs. West Indies 202/4 (Craig Brathwaite 55, Jason Holder 43*; Mark Wood 1-24).
(ANI report)