HOLDER TAKES SIX AS ENGLAND SLUMP TO 204
West Indies Captain Jason Holder returned Test-best figures of six for 42 as England slumped to 204 all out in their first innings on the second day of the series opener at Southampton yesterday. West Indies in reply reached 57 for one when bad light brought an early end to the day’s proceedings with John Campbell the only batsman to be dismissed.
Holder surpassed his previous Test-best of six for 59 against Bangladesh at Kingston two years ago, making full use of overcast conditions at the Ageas Bowl.
His haul, the sixth time in his past 10 Tests that Holder has taken five or more wickets in an innings, included the prize scalp of opposing Captain Ben Stokes, who top scored with 43 after winning the toss. Shannon Gabriel, who did the early damage, took all the other wickets for impressive figures of four for 62.
England slipped to 87 for five before a stand of 67 between Stokes (43) and Vice-captain Jos Buttler (35) repaired some of the damage.
England could have been dismissed even more cheaply, with Stokes dropped on 14 and 32 after Kemar Roach floored a difficult diving chance at long leg before Shamarh Brooks spilt a far easier opportunity at extra cover.
But Holder had Stokes caught behind as he aimed leg-side after advancing down the pitch.
Holder then had fellow Barbados-native Jofra Archer lbw for a duck, although for the third time in the innings he had to overturn an original not out decision by English Umpire Richard Kettleborough. Holder was not finished, having Mark Wood caught in the gully.
West Indies have not won a Test series in England since 1988 but they hold the Wisden Trophy after a 2-1 success in the Caribbean last year.- AFP