Crawley, Sibley lead fightback

SOUTHAMPTON: England ended day four with a 170run lead over the West Indies as Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley notched up halfcenturies in the second innings of the first test at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton yesterday.

Crawley walked out to the crease with England 113 for two and trailing the visiting side by one run, and stitched an important 98run partnership with captain Ben Stokes.

Stokes struck six boundaries in his 79ball 46 before being dismissed for the second time in the match by West Indies skipper Jason Holder, slashing a short ball straight to Shai Hope at gully.

Crawley was dismissed for 76 after his attempted flick off the pads flew straight to Alzarri Joseph, who took a good catch in his followthrough.

Jos Buttler was fortunate after a legbefore decision to Holder was overturned on review but he departed in the following over, his stumps sent cartwheeling by

Joseph.

Shannon Gabriel dismissed Dom Bess and Ollie Pope in quick succession to leave England tottering before Jofra Archer and Mark Wood sawit through to stumps at 284 for eight.

Earlier in the day, resuming England's second innings on 15 without loss, Sibley and Rory Burns saw off a testing opening burst from Gabriel and Kemar Roach before settling into their stride.

Burns departed for 42 shortly before lunch, slicing a shortpitched delivery from offspinner Roston Chase straight to John Campbell at backward point.

Sibley was dismissed for 50 in the same over, edging a wayward delivery down the leg side to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich.

Joe Denly battled hard for his 29 before chipping an innocuous delivery from Chase straight to Holder at midwicket. — Reuters