Ben Stokes’ impressive 176 took England to an imposing first-innings score of 469/9 declared in the second Test against the West Indies at ...
Ben Stokes’ impressive 176 took England to an imposing first-innings score of 469/9 declared in the second Test against the West Indies at Old Trafford on Friday.
The tourists, faced with a tricky hour to bat until stumps on the second day, lost John Campbell to the recalled Sam Curran and were 32/1 at the close.
They could have lost nightwatchman Alzarri Joseph to the penultimate ball of the day but the hosts, looking to level the series, opted against reviewing a Curran lbw shout.
Earlier, Dom Sibley made a painstaking 120 and put on 260 with Stokes after England had been in trouble at 81/3 on Thursday following the loss of returning captain Joe Root.
England had been forced into a late change to their pace attack after fast bowler Jofra Archer was dramatically omitted Thursday for breaching the bio-secure bubble by making an unauthorised trip home to Brighton after the West Indies’ four-wicket win in last week’s first Test at Southampton.
But left-arm paceman Curran, who might not have played if Archer had been retained, made the breakthrough when an inswinger had Campbell lbw on review to leave West Indies 16/1.
England came into this match already planning to revamp their pace attack, with Stuart Broad – angry at...