Root (84*) and Zak Crawley (117*) formed an unbeaten 193* run partnership for the 2nd wicket to put England ahead by 153 runs in a match heading towards an inevitable draw.
England finished on 217-1 in 63.2 overs on day 4 of the 1st test filled with episodes of intermittent showers.
Here’s what transpired on the 4th day:
West Indies fold quickly:
Beginning from 373-9, West Indies did not move the scoreboard much by quickly giving way to England batters. The Caribbeans could only add two more to their tally before the fall of their last wicket in the first four overs of the day’s play. They ended on 375-9 with a handsome lead of 64 runs.
England survives a top-order scare:
Trailing by 64 runs, the England openers, Alex Lees and Zak Crawley, failed to create an impactful partnership as Lees departed on 6 off 27. It sent a shiver into the English camp as their top-order woes didn’t seem to go away. However, captain Joe Root joined Crawley to avoid any further damage.
Crawley and Root’s marathon stand:
West Indies tried to pounce on a fragile English top-order when they were reeling under pressure at 24-1 in their second innings. However, Crawley and Root’s determination denied Windies any other chances on the 4th day. Together they put on a batting masterclass filled with extraordinary stroke play.
Zak Crawley scored an unbeaten 117 off 200, including 16 fours; meanwhile, Root, on the other end, is batting on 84 off 158, consisting of 6 boundaries along the ground. The pitch did not deteriorate much, even on the 4th day’s play which ruined West Indies’ chances of putting the English batters under pressure.
The day was cut short by the arrival of rain in the 64th over of English innings, and it is adjudged that the play will begin early tomorrow to compensate for the lost overs.
What to expect on day 5:
The first test between England vs West Indies is heading towards a draw unless we witness a horrible collapse of the West Indian 4th innings. With 9 wickets in hand and a lead of 153, there is no way England can lose this match now. There are only about 90 overs to go; it’s wishful thinking to hope for a result in the game.
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