NEW DELHI: England held a dominant position in the third Test against the West Indies, concluding the second day with a 94-run first innings lead and further destabilizing their opponents by reducing them to 33 for 2 at stumps.
The day’s play saw England recover from an initial struggle to eventually score 376, with key contributions from Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Chris Woakes.
West Indies, trailing by 61 runs, faced early setbacks in their second innings as England’s bowlers quickly dispatched captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Kirk McKenzie.
Starting the day at 38 for 3, England turned their fortunes around to post a substantial total of 376.
Jamie Smith and Joe Root were pivotal, both agonizingly falling short of centuries.
Smith was bowled for 95 by Shamar Joseph, and Root scored 87 before being trapped leg before wicket by Gudakesh Motie.
Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes also made significant contributions, scoring half-centuries each.
Smith, playing his third Test, impressed with an array of aggressive shots before an off-cutter from Shamar Joseph that stayed low took out his stumps.
Smith’s 95 from 109 balls was crucial in pushing England past the West Indies’ first innings score of 282 and setting up a lead.
Root and Stokes had earlier anchored the innings with a 115-run partnership for the sixth wicket, lifting England from a precarious 54-5. Stokes was eventually dismissed for 54 by Alzarri Joseph, caught off a miscued pull shot.
Following Stokes’ dismissal, Smith and Root added 62 runs for the seventh wicket.
Root fell to Motie’s delivery, signaling the end of the partnership. Smith then teamed up with Woakes, who added 62 runs on his home ground, maintaining a solid tempo.
Reflecting on the day’s play, England managed to quickly dismantle the West Indies’ top order in their second innings.
Chris Woakes bowled Brathwaite for a duck within six balls, and Gus Atkinson claimed McKenzie’s wicket, caught behind for eight. At the close of play, Mikyle Louis and Alick Athanaze remained unbeaten on 18 and five respectively.
England have already secured the series with resounding victories in the first two Tests. They won by an innings and 114 runs at Lord’s and by 241 runs at Trent Bridge. Alzarri Joseph was the standout bowler for the West Indies, ending with figures of 4-122.
As the teams head into the third day, the West Indies face an uphill battle to bridge the 61-run deficit and avoid a clean sweep in the series. England’s commanding position and early breakthroughs have significantly bolstered their chances of a comprehensive series victory.
The day’s play saw England recover from an initial struggle to eventually score 376, with key contributions from Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Chris Woakes.
West Indies, trailing by 61 runs, faced early setbacks in their second innings as England’s bowlers quickly dispatched captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Kirk McKenzie.
Starting the day at 38 for 3, England turned their fortunes around to post a substantial total of 376.
Jamie Smith and Joe Root were pivotal, both agonizingly falling short of centuries.
Smith was bowled for 95 by Shamar Joseph, and Root scored 87 before being trapped leg before wicket by Gudakesh Motie.
Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes also made significant contributions, scoring half-centuries each.
Smith, playing his third Test, impressed with an array of aggressive shots before an off-cutter from Shamar Joseph that stayed low took out his stumps.
Smith’s 95 from 109 balls was crucial in pushing England past the West Indies’ first innings score of 282 and setting up a lead.
Root and Stokes had earlier anchored the innings with a 115-run partnership for the sixth wicket, lifting England from a precarious 54-5. Stokes was eventually dismissed for 54 by Alzarri Joseph, caught off a miscued pull shot.
Following Stokes’ dismissal, Smith and Root added 62 runs for the seventh wicket.
Root fell to Motie’s delivery, signaling the end of the partnership. Smith then teamed up with Woakes, who added 62 runs on his home ground, maintaining a solid tempo.
Reflecting on the day’s play, England managed to quickly dismantle the West Indies’ top order in their second innings.
Chris Woakes bowled Brathwaite for a duck within six balls, and Gus Atkinson claimed McKenzie’s wicket, caught behind for eight. At the close of play, Mikyle Louis and Alick Athanaze remained unbeaten on 18 and five respectively.
England have already secured the series with resounding victories in the first two Tests. They won by an innings and 114 runs at Lord’s and by 241 runs at Trent Bridge. Alzarri Joseph was the standout bowler for the West Indies, ending with figures of 4-122.
As the teams head into the third day, the West Indies face an uphill battle to bridge the 61-run deficit and avoid a clean sweep in the series. England’s commanding position and early breakthroughs have significantly bolstered their chances of a comprehensive series victory.
