Despite the favorable position of England, Jason Holder’s all-round abilities were on display as West Indies mounted a valiant comeback in the final session of day one of the third test at Edgbaston.
Holder’s important 59 runs helped his team recover from a sticky 115-5 to post a decent 282 all out that gave them a glimmer of hope as they continue to trail 2-0.
“AFP reported that as soon as their skipper called the toss right in batting friendly conditions, West Indians began well with Kraig Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis cautiously starting off. After five overs Woakes was driven for two boundaries by Brathwaite.”
Zak Crawley got out for eight after edging a lose drive off Jayden Seales into Holder’s hands at second slip while Ben Duckett played onto his stumps on the very next delivery bowled by Alzarri Joseph.
The nightwatchman Mark Wood also went for nought when edging Seales through to Holder who had Pope and Joe Root coming in on Saturday morning to start England’s innings once again.
West Indies’ promising start saw them reach 76-0 after winning the toss on what looked like good batting track earlier in the day.
However, another batting collapse resembling those experienced in the first two Tests saw them drop down five wickets at lunchtime.
“English bowlers Gus Atkinson (4-67) and Chris Woakes (3-59) were impressive.”
On top of reaching his half-century, Brathwaite recorded two boundaries off Woakes during fifth over of play as Louis continued providing excellent support.
It took him just seventy balls playing his ninety-second test match to score fifty runs before being dismissed thus leaving Ollie Pope and Joe Root standing alone when restarting England’s innings tomorrow morning.
But then Louis (26), Kirke McKenzie and Alick Athanaze fell victims to English bowlers before lunch with Brathwaite still unbeaten on 56.
West Indies needed their Skipper to go big after starting well but he went for 61 caught by Mark Wood off the gloves down the leg side.
Kavem Hodge, who had scored his first-ever Test century at Nottingham, was dismissed in unlucky manner when a delivery from Woakes just nicked the top of off stump.
Holder counterattacked as West Indies were in trouble at 115-5, taking on English bowling and getting to fifty off only ninety-two balls bowled by English bowler.”
Da Silva was caught behind by Woakes after scoring 49 runs leaving Holder unbeaten until Atkinson eventually got him out clean bowled.
