Stokes Puts England On Top Against West Indies Before Curran Strikes
Umer Jamshaid Published July 18, 2020 | 12:00 AM
Manchester, United Kingdom, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jul, 2020 ) :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 being rested for the series opener - back in action.
James Anderson, was rested in turn, even though this match was taking place at the Lancashire home ground of England's all-time leading wicket-taker, with Chris Woakes recalled in place of Mark Wood after he too was given a breather.
But the day was about Sibley and Stokes, whose partnership was the second-highest for the fourth-wicket by England against the West Indies, behind the celebrated stand of 411 shared by Peter May and Colin Cowdrey at Edgbaston in 1957.
Sibley's hundred was one of the slowest in Tests by an England batsman, the opener batting for 471 minutes -- nearly eight hours -- to complete a 312-ball century featuring a mere fours.
But the 24-year-old Warwickshire right-hander's second hundred in his eight Tests, following his 133 not out against South Africa at Cape Town in January, was a valuable innings.
And he made normally reliable West Indies captain Jason Holder pay for dropping him in the slips on 68.
Run-scoring was difficult against a swinging ball and on a sluggish outfield, with even the usually fluent Stokes taking nearly six hours and 285 balls to complete his 10th Test century.
But Stokes' third fifty came off just 46 balls and, having given Sibley a "head start" of 31.2 overs, he overtook his team-mate's total as he led from the front bat, even though he had handed back the captaincy to Root, who missed last week's match to attend the birth of his second child.
England resumed on 207-3, with Sibley 86 not out and Stokes, unbeaten on 59.
Stokes, 99 not out at lunch, went to three figures with a cheeky reverse-swept four against off-spinner Roston Chase.
The left-handed batsman then upped the tempo against the new ball, notably with a remarkable check-drive six over midwicket off Joseph.
Having batted for over nine hours Sibley holed out to deep midwicket off Chase.
Kemar Roach checked England's progress when he struck for the first time this series with two wickets in two balls.
In his 71st over of the campaign the persevering paceman had Stokes, attempting an ambitious reverse sweep, caught behind to end a 356-ball innings featuring 17 fours and two sixes before Woakes was caught in the gully.
Jos Buttler (40) and Dom Bess (31 not out) made useful runs, with Chase taking 5-172 in 44 overs.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Azam Khan likely to miss T20I series against Kiwis due to discomfort in right kn ..
Badar Shahbaz Warraich appointed as PM’s media coordinator
Finance Minister rules out rupee devaluation in talks with IMF
National team determined for good performance against New Zealand: Babar Azam
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 18 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 18 April 2024
Saka and Odegaard start for Arsenal, Guerreiro in Bayern midfield
Qatar PM says re-evaluating Israel-Hamas mediation role
Govt spokesperson terms allegations of PTI's Marwat against Saudi Arabia 'heinou ..
Minister appreciate UAE’s support for Pakistan economic challenges
Manchester City v Real Madrid Champions League starting line-ups
MIGA's support Pakistan in attracting foreign investments: Federal Minister for ..
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
3 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
4 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
4 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
7 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
9 days ago -
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
11 days ago
-
Second phase of refugees’ repatriation to start after Eidul Fitr vacations
11 days ago -
Reaping bounties as Ramazan culminates
11 days ago -
Digital transformation – a boon or bane
11 days ago -
Plants’ business: Another casualty of climate change
13 days ago -
Eid shoppers prioritize children’s joy over personal comforts
13 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre honoring Pir Hassam din Rashdi to take place on April 1
18 days ago