• Fifth-wicket stand of 124 owes much to lucky reprieve
It has been an ugly struggle for English batsmen on this tour but finally a couple of them have popped their heads above the parapet. Ben Stokes, bristling like the pre- Bristol version, and Jos Buttler, calmly aligning his talents to the demands of Test cricket, added an unbeaten 124 together in 35 overs. England finished their most satisfactory day of the tour on 231 for four. It might have been their luckiest as well.
On 52 Stokes was ostensibly caught and bowled by Alzarri Joseph as he miscued a pull shot. He disappeared to the pavilion, where he would have had time to carefully return his bat to his bag. Then he was recalled to the middle when it was discovered that Joseph had overstepped.
Written by Vic Marks at the Darren Sammy Stadium
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/feb/09/west-indies-england-third-test-day-one-match-report under the title “Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler give England hope as top order falters once again”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
