The first Test between England and West Indies at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton has reached a thrilling stage. After the end of the fourth day, England have reached 284/8, taking a lead of 170. For the hosts, middle-order batsman Zak Crawley shined in the second innings as he registered his career-best score of 76.
Crawley and stand-in captain Ben Stokes played a significant role behind England’s current position in the game. The duo added a crucial 98-run stand for the fourth wicket and took England’s lead over the three-digit mark. Stokes missed-out on scoring a fifty as his counterpart Jason Holder got him again in the match. Stokes made 46 with the help of six boundaries.
The southpaw is known for playing handsome shots in cricket, and he once again gave a glimpse of his top-quality batting technique during his knock.
It all happened in the 84th over of England’s second innings when Stokes played a magnificent cover drive which impressed the on-air commentators’ Mike Atherton and Rob Key. Stokes’ shot even left the Caribbean pacer Shannon Gabriel stunned.
It was the full delivery pitched outside off. Stokes saw the opportunity and went forward crunching the ball to the right of mid-off. Stokes’ balance, elbow position and placement, everything was perfect.
Here’s the video:
Ohhhh @benstokes38 that is 😍
Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/ldtEXLDT8V#ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/eMj9mb0nIv
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 11, 2020
Earlier, on Day 4, England openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley conquered the morning session. The pair added 72 runs for the opening wicket. Burns left the ground at 42 when he tried to whack a short and wide delivery bowled by Roston Chase but ended up giving a sitter to John Campbell at backward point. A few overs later, Gabriel bowled a delivery outside the leg-stump to Sibley (50), and the right-handed batsman tickled a knick to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich.
