NO REGRETS INSISTS BEN

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1-0 down with two to play. It’s the first time in 13 years that the Windies have gone 1-0 up in a series away from home.

Though questioned over the decision to bat first under heavy skies, and the call to leave out Stuart Broad in favour of extra pace, Stokes did not back down.

“I don’t have any regrets,” he said. “I stand by our decision to bat first but we weren’t ruthless enough to make our batting innings count. We base our Test cricket on big first-innings runs and we didn’t make the most of our chances in either the first or second innings.

“We can identify where we need to be more ruthless but how else are you supposed to learn? You need to have moments like these to understand how we are to progress as players.”

Broad, who gave a passionate interview following his axing for this game, may well feature at Old Trafford on the back of this defeat.

“It is not my call,” Stokes said. “You make decisions and you have to stand by them and I’m not the sort of person to regret them.

“It is Joe’s team and he is a big miss when he doesn’t play and I welcome him back, with me slotting back into the team.

“Good luck Joe.”

Bowling in the second innings was his best since last summer. Pace and aggression at times, but great amount of skill too.

Full of effort and created several chances but the luck really wasn’t with him as only two wickets suggest.

A real handful in the first innings, but his threat faded in the second innings, especially with the older ball under blue skies.