After losing the first Test against West Indies in Southampton, England made a strong return in the ongoing second Test at Old Trafford in Manchester. The marathon innings played by all-rounder Ben Stokes and opening batsman Dom Sibley put the hosts on the driving seat on Day 2 of the second Test.
Both Stokes and Sibley began the proceedings with an overnight score of 59 and 86 runs. Just like the first day, the pair dominated and completely outshined the Caribbean bowlers. Sibley played proper old-school cricket with full of concentration and determination. While Stokes too showed guts and held his end for a long time.
Sibley smashed his second Test century right before the announcement of lunch-break, and Stokes reached the triple-figure in the second session. The Christchurch-born also registered history as he became the fourth cricketer to enter in an elite club of those batsmen who have scored 4000-plus runs, along with 10 centuries, and have taken 150+ wickets in the longest format of the game.
During the 126th over, Windies spinner Roston Chase provided the much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Sibley. The Warwickshire batsman was trying to up the ante but he mistimed a shot, and Kemar Roach at deep grabbed the opportunity. Sibley departed for 120, and with that, the 260-run partnership was also broken.
Stokes continued his golden touch and crossed the 150-run mark. He was looking well settled and cruising towards the double hundred before an ambitious reverse sweep shot against pacer Kemar Roach ended his incredible innings for 176. The southpaw smashed 17 fours and two sixes during his phenomenal knock.
It was a special moment for Roach as he took a wicket after 86.3 overs in Test cricket. The last dismissal that Roach made before Stokes’ was of India captain Virat Kohli. As England was preparing to score some quick runs after Stokes’ departure, Roach picked another wicket in the form of Chris Woakes who was gone for a duck.
English wicket-keeper Jos Buttler kept on tickling the scoreboard from one end. He scored 40 runs before Jason Holder sent him back to the pavilion. England spinner Dom Bess added a crucial 31 before England skipper Joe Root declared the innings on 469/9.
Dom Bess takes 15 off an over from Roston Chase, and England have declared on 4️⃣6️⃣9️⃣/9️⃣ #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/WFcf9GpZXa
— ICC (@ICC) July 17, 2020
For the visitors, Chase completed his five-wicket haul and remained the most successful bowler. In fact, he was the third spinner who took a fifer in England in the last 50 years.
Roston Chase gets his 3️⃣rd fifer in Tests and his 2️⃣nd against ENG🔥
Congrats Roston! 👏🏼#ENGvWI #WIReady #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/ljdUtkAqO0
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) July 17, 2020
WI spinners taking 5-fers in England in the last 50 years:
- 6/57 – R Harper Manchester 1984
- 5/34 – C Gayle Edgbaston 2004
- 5/172 – R Chase this Test *
It was also the third most expensive five-wicket haul for West Indies.
Most expensive 5-fers for WI:
- 5/266 – OC Scott v Eng Kingston 1929/30
- 5/179 – S Shillingford v Ind Mumbai WS 2013/14
- 5/172 – R Chase this Test *
West Indies started their first innings with openers Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell. However, before the pair could get settle in the crease, England’s Sam Curran trapped Campbell in front and drew the first blood.
At stumps, West Indies reached 32/1 with Brathwaite not out on 6 while the nightwatchman Alzarri Joseph remained unbeaten on 14.
Nightwatchman Alzarri Joseph accompanies Kraigg Brathwaite to stumps 💪
Windies will resume tomorrow on 32/1 🌴 #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/EO8U4qaiQk
— ICC (@ICC) July 17, 2020
