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Hosts West Indies came back nicely in the final session on Day 2 of the ongoing first Test against England in Antigua to reduce the deficit to 109 runs at the end of the second day’s play after rain brought early stumps.
Nkrumah Bonner and Jason Holder pulled things back with an unbeaten 75-run stand for the fifth wicket after England had reduced the Caribbeans at 127/4 in 35.1 overs. Bonner and Holder kept England at bay with 202/4 on the board in reply to England’s 311 in their first innings.
The English bowlers staged an excellent comeback after an 83-run opening stand between West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell. The partnership was broken by Craig Overton (1/58), which opened floodgates as the home team lost three more wickets in quick succession before Bonner (34 no) and Holder (43) steadied the ship.
Earlier, England were bowled out for 311 thanks to Jonny Bairstow, who stood like a rock and smashed a tremendous century. After breaking the Bairstow-Chris Woakes stand of 71 runs, Windies bowlers quickly got rid of England’s lower order, with Jayden Seales claiming a four-fer. Bairstow eventually fell for 140 after surviving over half of the opening session to keep England in the game.
“I think the way we stuck around and our attitude in the field was really good. We fielded with purpose and intensity, so I was really pleased about that, but I think we could have started better. We’ve got to try to get a couple of early wickets to really get into this West Indies line-up,” said Mark Wood while speaking to BT Sport.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Dug in on Day 2️⃣. #WIvENG #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/8jEwwJwg3y
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) March 9, 2022
Attritional day but Eng couldn't make the break throughs to force the game. WI should now get close or even lead. All coming down to second innings. #WIvEng
— Rahul Puri (@rahulpuri) March 10, 2022
At the close on day 2, Windies are 109 behind with six wickets in hand. Pitch slow, but a good game in store.
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) March 9, 2022
This is a proper grind. Both teams fighting hard.
England’s bowlers are keeping their discipline but haven’t really threatened.
West Indies batters are being watchful but found it difficult to score.
Who will crack first? #WIvENG
— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) March 9, 2022
Only 35% of England's seamer deliveries have been on a good line and length today. The last time they recorded a lower figure than this was July 2020, against West Indies at Southampton. #WIvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) March 9, 2022
Kraigg Brathwaite, fresh from a career-best 276 versus Jamaica, brings up his half-century in 62 balls, the fastest in a Test career chiefly known for obduracy
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) March 9, 2022
Jason holder is class act in tests u have paid for his Wicket. Improved cricketer in tests.#WIvENG
— Ramesh (@PahaariRoots) March 10, 2022
Jason Holder mannn is too good in test cricket 🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Ustaad Aadmi (@UstaadAdmi) March 10, 2022
Disciplined in the final session but without reward.@WindiesCricket trail by 1⃣0⃣9⃣ runs at the close.
Match Centre: https://t.co/vjMSJN0DqF
🏝 #WIvENG 🏴 pic.twitter.com/TIGX9sZB0v
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 9, 2022
https://twitter.com/tomroper87/status/1501763142262665218
Just catching up on #WIvENG. How many chances were missed by the West Indies, wowzers, I recon about 5. The Da Silva catch to dismiss Crawley was sensational though
— Shaun Lilford (@Carcharius) March 10, 2022
