Defiant knock by Brathwaite

– Kraigg Brathwaite’s celebrated obduracy was again necessary after his first innings marathon 160, as the West Indies captain’s unbeaten second innings half-century ensured another draw on the final day of the second Test against England at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Sunday.

Needing to survive two sessions having been set the improbable target of 282, Brathwaite’s (above) unbeaten 56 made sure a stumble to 93/5 just after tea did not result in a complete collapse as he got the necessary support from Joshua da Silva (30 not out), with the skipper and wicketkeeper negotiating 21 overs without being separated.

Having opted to declare his team’s second innings at 185/6 at the end of a rain-interrupted first session, England skipper Joe Root took two catches with the home side sliding into early trouble at 39/3 at the start of the afternoon session.

Left-arm spinner Jack Leach struck in his very first over when opener John Campbell was caught off bat and pad by Alex Lees at silly point.

However it was Saqib Mahmood, one of England’s two debutants in their bowling attack, who claimed the other two wickets with assistance from his skipper.

Shamarh Brooks hung his bat outside the off-stump and Zak Crawley juggled with the chance at second slip before an alert Root completed the catch.

There was no such drama though when Mahmood drew an edge from Nkrumah Bonner’s bat four overs later for the captain to make no mistake at first slip.

Brathwaite and Brooks extended their fourth-wicket stand to 50 when Leach drew a defensive prod for Jonny Bairstow to take the catch on his knees at gully.

When new man Jason Holder wafted loosely at the specialist spinner and Dan Lawrence took a diving catch at short extra-cover, West Indies were very much in danger of capitulating.

But the captain found solidity and determination in the shape of Da Silva, as the pair saw the West Indies to safety to leave the series open going into the final Test in Grenada on Thursday. –