Late slump hits England’s hopes of victory for skipper Stokes
HOSTS TAKE LEAD INTO FINAL DAY BUT VISITORS HAVE UPPER HAND
ZAK Crawley stepped up with the highest score of his short Test career as England established a hard-fought lead - but a late surge from the West Indies bowlers left the tourists sensing a day-five victory at the Ageas Bowl.
After losing just three wickets in the first two sessions England blinked late in the day, seeing their next five go down for just 30 runs as they closed 170 ahead on 284-8.
The hosts had threatened to take real control for the first time in the match when Crawley joined captain Ben Stokes in a stand of 98 for the fourth wicket - but when Durham’s Stokes fell for 46 and Crawley followed for 76 moments later the tone dramatically shifted.
Alzarri Joseph and Shannon Gabriel shared four wickets in the final hour, with Jason Holder responsible for Stokes’ scalp for the second time this week.
None of what followed should take away from Crawley’s efforts, the 22-year-old showing maturity beyond both his years and his five international caps to produce the highest score of the match.
It may prove to be the moment he leapfrogged Kent team-mate Joe Denly in the selectors’ eyes but there is plenty to do before focus shifts to Old Trafford next week.
Openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley laid a firm foundation, soaking up 10 taxing overs on the third evening and then continuing their good work in the morning session.
Resuming on 15 without loss they settled early to their task, quickly getting on top of the West Indies attack who laboured without joy for an hour.
There was a slight hint of deterioration in the pitch - Holder persuading one to keep low to Burns and seeing another draw blood when it leapt into Sibley’s elbow.
Things tightened considerably after the drinks break and, after just 11 runs in 13 overs, Burns’ patience snapped as he slashed a short ball from Roston Chase straight into John Campbell’s hands at backward point.