The English tail comprising Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Chris Woakes and Craig Overton saved England from a horrendous collapse to drag the score slightly above 200 in the third and final Test of the series. The series is currently levelled, with both teams not able to win any of the games so far.
The partnership between Leach and Mahmood for the 10th wicket was an extraordinary display of stubborn resistance and determination. The pair put on 90 runs for the last wicket to propel the English score from 114/9 to 204/10.
Saqib Mahmood fell one short of his maiden Test hundred, but his knock of 49 might prove to be much more valuable than a century for England in the context of the series. Jack Leach was equally magnificent; he scored an unbeaten 41* to let the world know that his resistance at Headingley against Australia was not a fluke.
Here’s how the 1st day of 3rd Test panned out:
West Indies won the toss and rightly decided to bowl first at National Cricket Stadium in Grenada. The Caribbean bowlers dismantled the English top-order and triggered a collapse that saw England from 23-0 to 67-7.
In his return to the West Indies Test team, Kyle Mayers was on the top of his game and bowled 5 fantabulous maiden overs on the trot. He dismissed the pillar of England batting line-up, Joe Root and also removed the first one of the match in Zak Crawley.
Mayers was complemented by other West Indian pacers who looked equally threatening and imposing against England. Alzarri Joseph sent back the dangerous Ben Stokes and Johnny Bairstow, while Jayden Seales accounted for 3 of the English batters. Kemar Roach was bowling fiercely and helped remove Alex Lees, the only England top-order batter to score in double digits.
At 67-7, England seemed all lost and out from the Test; however, Chris Woakes and Craig Overton played crucial knocks of 25 and 14 respectively to bring England closer to 100 runs. But it was the duo of Jack Leach and Saqib Mahmood that did the heavy lifting. The pair frustrated the West Indian bowlers for more than 47 overs in their enterprising partnership of 90 runs. Saqib was dismissed on 49 by Blackwood to stop England’s innings.
West Indies will be reasonably happy to wrap up the English innings at 204 and would look to secure a handsome lead tomorrow to put pressure on England in the third innings of the Test match.
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