Brathwaite, Hope solid in reply to frustrate England
NORTH SOUND (ANTIGUA): West Indies’ top-order batting negotiated a testing two-hour period with a combination of luck and skill to reach the lunch interval at 126 for one replying to England’s first innings total of 187 on the second day of the second Test of the three-match series at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Friday.
Kraigg Brathwaite soldiered through the session in getting to 48 not out, anchoring their effort to bat through the day in pursuit of a significant lead as they press for the victory which will give them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series and the Wisden Trophy back in their possession after ten years in English hands.
Brathwaite and John Campbell, resuming at 30 without loss through 21 overs at the end of the first day, extended that opening stand to 70 with Campbell getting to 47 before his luck ran out.
Reprieved within minutes of the start of play by a TV review of an umpiring decision which was shown to be erroneous, the lefthander was then dropped by Jos Buttler at slip before top-edging an attempted pull just out of the reach of scampering substitute wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow at backward square-leg.
Bairstow is continuing to do duty behind the stumps from the end of the first day as the appointed gloveman, Ben Foakes, receives treatment for a blow on the hand from fast bowler Shannon Gabriel while compiling a hard-fought 35.
Campbell’s moments of good fortune were all at the expense of Stuart Broad, England’s most impressive bowler so far.
It took the introduction of Ben Stokes into the attack for the opening pair to be separated as Campbell pushed at another delivery angled across him and Buttler atoned for his earlier with a catch every bit as straightforward as the one missed earlier off the suffering and increasingly aggravated Broad.
On the first day, Kemar Roach again led the assault with four wickets. He was ably supported by the fastest of the quartet, Shannon Gabriel (three for 45) while Alzarri Joseph and captain Jason Holder combined for the remaining three wickets to justify Holder’s decision to put England in on winning the toss.
Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow struck contrasting half-centuries to avert a complete and abject capitulation again.
Brief scores (Day 2 Lunch): England 187 in 61 ovs (J Bairstow 52, M Ali 60, K Roach 4/30, S Gabriel 3/45). West Indies 126/1 in 50 ovs (K Brathwaite 48*, J Campbell 47, S Hope 22*).