Broad & Burns put hosts in driver’s seat
MANCHESTER: Stuart Broad took six wickets before Rory Burns’ 90 strengthened England’s grip on the deciding third Test despite the West Indies avoiding the follow-on at Old Trafford on Sunday. Broad’s haul of 6-31 in 14 overs helped the hosts bundle out the West Indies for 197 in reply to England’s first innings 369 that featured his dashing 62.
He took all the West Indies wickets to fall on Sunday’s third day in a burst of 4-14 in four overs as England went in search of a victory that would see them win this series 2-1 and regain the Wisden Trophy. England then made 226-2 declared in their second innings with Burns and Dom Sibley (56) sharing a stand of 114—
England’s first century opening partnership in a home Test since Alastair Cook and Alex Hales put on 126 against Pakistan at Edgbaston in 2016.
England captain Joe Root was 68 not out when he declared, amid concerns Monday’s play could be washed out, to set the West Indies a huge target of 399. The Windies were 10/2 at stumps with Broad picking up the wickets of John Campbell (0) and Kemar Roach (4). No side have made more in the fourth innings to win an Old Trafford Test than England’s 294-4 against New Zealand in 2008.
Root declared when Burns, bidding for his third Test century, skied off-spinner Roston Chase to substitute wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva. Burns faced 163 balls including 10 fours. Root had previously completed a 49-ball fifty when he drove Kemar Roach’s first ball back straight over the fast bowler’s head for four.
DOWRICH INJURY
West Indies used three wicketkeepers on Sunday after Shane Dowrich was hit in the face after a 90mph delivery from Shannon Gabriel burst through his gloves. ODI wicketkeeper Shai Hope, in the Test side as a batsman, initially took over behind the stumps.
But match officials then allowed Da Silva, the back-up gloveman in the Test squad but not in the original XI for this match, to come on.
Brief scores: England 369 & 226/2d (R Burns 90, J Root 68*, D Sibley 56) vs West Indies 197 (J Holder 46; S Broad 6/31) & 10/2 (S Broad 2/8) at stumps.