England haul themselves back into the days as the Windies overcome tragedy to win
England began the unenviable job of batting their way back into the second Test after the West Indies built a 119-run first-innings lead.
England bowled the hosts out for 306 in Antigua, taking their four remaining wickets for 34 runs on yesterday’s third morning.
Darren Bravo was last man out for exactly 50, the West Indies’ slowest ever half-century having taken 215 balls.
Kemar Roach delivered a terrifying bouncer to Rory Burns moments into the England response, emphasising the size of the task ahead, but England’s openers took nine off the deficit in four wicketless overs before lunch.
The day began with the tragic news that the mother of West Indian paceman Alzarri Joseph had died in the hours before play. Offered the chance to sit out, he instead took his place in the batting order and then in the field, while members of both sides wore black armbands in respect.
Resuming on 272 for six, Bravo and Jason Holder continued the belligerence they had shown on the second evening, taking halfan-hour to add just nine to the total.
James Anderson made the breakthrough, finding Holder’s
say soon with ball in hand.
Bravo was last man out, continuing a five-and-a-half hour vigil which began on the second afternoon and became the slowestwest Indian 50 in history.
England’s opening pair somehow negotiated a fierce opening blast with the new ball before Burns let his guard down when Holder entered the fray, leaning back and inexplicably guiding his first delivery straight to third slip. Bairstow also fell to the home captain aiming a mighty drive at the next full delivery. With a yawning gap on offer, he promptly lost his off stump.
The spotlight then fell to the courageous Joseph, who got one to nip back into Root before scurrying through to the wicketkeeper. DRS showed a hint of glove before a heavier touch off the thigh pad.
There was no doubt about his second wicket, Denly dramatically misjudging a leave and allowing his stumps to be scattered.
Joseph should also have picked off Stokes for a duck, Campbell dropping a gentle one, but the England allrounder did not cash in.
Returning after tea with England still 44 adrift he pieced together 11 runs before driving lavishly and into his own stumps.
Moeen waited all of seven balls before repeating the folly, missing entirely as Roach rattled the timbers again.
The writing was on the wall, with England’s willingness to fight for a fourth day the only remaining question.
That was seemingly answered when Ben Foakes and Jos Buttler were both trapped lbw in the space of four balls.
Stuart Broad and Anderson lasted nine more between them, leaving the slenderest of chases behind.