Contributions from Joe Root (68), Harry Brook (57), and debutant Jamie Smith (81) powered England to a first-innings total of 371. James Anderson then spearheaded the bowling attack, dismissing West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite for nought in their second innings.
Scorecard: England vs West Indies, 1st Test
England began the day on 189/3, and Brook continued his aggressive play, reaching his 12th fifty in 13 Tests before being caught off a short ball from Alzarri Joseph. Ben Stokes was bowled by Gudakesh Motie for four, and Root was also bowled by Motie just before lunch.
Smith impressed in his debut Test, forming a 52-run partnership with Chris Woakes, who was caught at square leg off Jayden Seales for 23. Smith continued his aggressive approach, hitting two sixes and eight fours before being dismissed by Seales. Shoaib Bashir was run out by a brilliant throw from Mikyle Louis. Anderson, playing his final Test, did not face a ball but received a warm ovation from the crowd.
England’s bowling attack, led by Anderson, applied relentless pressure. Anderson produced a maiden over and then bowled Brathwaite with a delivery that jagged back sharply. Stokes trapped Kirk McKenzie lbw for nought and had Louis caught behind. Gus Atkinson bowled Kavem Hodge, Anderson dismissed Alick Athanaze for his 703rd Test wicket, and Atkinson removed Jason Holder for 20 with the final ball of the day. Joshua Da Silva remained unbeaten on eight.
Jamie Smith expressed satisfaction with England’s dominant position. “We are close to a perfect position. We wanted to start the summer strongly and get on the front foot, which we have done,” he was quoted as saying by Reuters.
West Indies’ Jayden Seales acknowledged the challenging situation. “We are under pressure, it’s definitely not an ideal position. It’s just a matter of learning from our mistakes, and putting this behind us,” he stated.
The West Indies top order struggled against the persistent England bowlers. McKenzie, Louis, and Hodge all fell cheaply, leaving the visitors in a precarious position. Athanaze and Holder offered some resistance with a battling partnership, but the dismissals of Athanaze and Holder further tilted the game in England’s favor.
With the West Indies needing a significant turnaround to avoid a heavy defeat, England’s performance has put them on the brink of a comprehensive victory.
