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On Day 1 of the ongoing third Test between West Indies and England, the visitors’ last-wicket stand frustrated the hosts with a 90-run partnership. On Day 2, the hosts returned the favour with the seventh, eighth and ninth-wicket stands forming 33, 49 and 55* runs, respectively, despite the light being an issue.
West Indies started pretty well with captain Kraigg Brathwaite (17) and John Campbell (35), adding 50 runs for the opening stand. However, the dismissal of Brathwaite opened the floodgates as the home team was reduced to 95/6 in 35.4 overs.
The lower-order then took up the responsibility, especially wicketkeeper-batter Joshua da Silva, who played an inspirational knock to save Windies from the blushes, helping them finish the second day with a lead of 28 runs.
The final three wickets cost England as many as 137 runs as West Indies reached 232/8 before light stopped play just ahead of the scheduled close time. Da Silva smashed a crucial half-century and is currently unbeaten at 54 along with Kemar Roach (28 not out). Kyle Mayers (28) and Alzarri Joseph (28) made valuable contributions to save West Indies from what could be a major embarrassment.
For the tourists, Chris Woakes picked up three wickets for 48 runs in 20 overs, including six maidens. Similarly, Craig Overton (2/71) and Ben Stokes (2/40) bagged a couple of scalps each.
“I hope there is an English batter who can stand up and make that key score tomorrow. Joshua da Silva showed today you could cash in when the bowlers tired. It has been a tough series with back-to-back Test matches and time in the field, but you have to put that to one side and be on the money. As a team, we try to have a session-by-session mentality. We need to turn up tomorrow and win that first hour,” said Woakes after the end of the day’s play as quoted by BBC.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
WI lead going into Day 3⃣. #WIvENG #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/H6ZuROZ7Jg
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) March 25, 2022
Strong work from our bowling unit taking 8⃣ wickets in the day.@WindiesCricket lead by 2⃣8⃣ at the close.
Match Centre: https://t.co/7ZZAhn27n3
🏝 #WIvENG 🏴 pic.twitter.com/VvXuG6qfBk
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 25, 2022
Good stuff from Joshua Da Silva, who has turned 95 for 6 into a first-innings lead for West Indies.
— Husky Trades (@Huskky_Trades) March 25, 2022
STAT ALERT: WI v Eng in Grenada is the first Test ever played in which both sides have been 6 down for under 100, and then recovered to pass 200. #WIvEng
— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) March 26, 2022
Terrific batting by Da Silva and Roach but England’s problems finishing off the tail rear their head yet again
Need to finish things off quickly tomorrow and get batting #WIvENG
— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) March 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/GryllidaeC/status/1507418977353490435
Joshua Da Silva has a special talent to bat with tail-enders in Test cricket.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 25, 2022
Excellent half-century from Joshua da Silva (54*) and a very handy 55 unbroken stand of 55 with Roach gets WI to 232-8 at stumps, a lead of 28
Test is moving nicely!#WIvENG
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) March 25, 2022
50 for Joshua Da Silva. Fought hard in last couple of innings in Barbados. But this is the best from him. One his best in his career. #WIvENG pic.twitter.com/NucQGrt5Fz
— Kaushik (@CricKaushik_) March 25, 2022
Joshua da Silva is a solid player. A great half century. Low order contest going on this match! #WivEng
— naeemah (@NaeemahBenjamin) March 25, 2022
A gutsy, crucial knock 50 from Joshua Da Silva.
It hasn’t been easy having to always bat with the tail but today he proved his unwavering fight and leadership at the crease guiding the tail.
32,33,30* in his previous 3 inns. with 263 balls faced.
It was only a matter of time.— Nikhil Uttamchandani (@NikUttam) March 25, 2022
