• Bairstow hits 52 and Moeen 60; Roach takes 4-30
England left the field on a sunkissed evening frustrated and aware that the series could be decided here in Antigua. On a surprisingly spicy surface upon which the tourists had been dismissed for 187, they had bowled 21 overs and the West Indies openers were still intact. The bat had been beaten frequently, especially when the recalled Stuart Broad was bowling, but no edges were forthcoming as Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell nobly eked their way to 30 without loss.
So West Indies had the better of a captivating day during which batting was always a trial. But for fine efforts by two of England’s more mercurial cricketers, Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali, the situation could have been far worse. Bairstow hit a sparky 52 in the morning, Moeen a vital 60 in the afternoon to keep England afloat.
Written by Vic Marks at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jan/31/west-indies-england-second-test-day-one-report under the title “Moeen Ali rescues England after another collapse against West Indies”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
