England Reeling at 38/3 After West Indies Post 282 on Dramatic Day One at Edgbaston
|
| West Indies Post 282 on Day One of Edgbaston Test / Getty Images |
A gripping day of Test cricket comes to an end with England at 38/3, trailing by 244 runs after dismissing West Indies for 282.
Edgbaston witnessed an intense opening day of Test cricket as both England and West Indies had their moments of dominance. West Indies won the toss and chose to bat first, starting steadily with their openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis. Despite the English bowlers getting plenty of movement with the new ball, the Windies openers navigated the first hour well, taking their stand past 50.
Brathwaite brought up a composed fifty off 70 balls. The first breakthrough came when Louis edged to the keeper for 26, ending the 76-run opening stand in the 22nd over. Kirk McKenzie was bowled by Mark Wood for 12, and Alick Athanaze dragged one onto his stumps for 2 just before lunch.
Post-lunch, Brathwaite fell for 61. Kavem Hodge left a delivery that knocked over his stumps for 13, leaving West Indies at 115/5. Jason Holder and Joshua Da Silva then steadied the ship, putting on a solid partnership and remaining unbeaten till tea.
Holder scored a fifty off 92 balls, pushing the sixth-wicket partnership past 100. Chris Woakes broke the 109-run stand, dismissing Da Silva for 49. Alzarri Joseph's aggressive approach ended at 15. Holder continued to bat well but was bowled by Gus Atkinson for 59. West Indies were eventually bowled out for 282 in 75.1 overs, with Atkinson taking four wickets and Woakes three.
In response, England's openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett added 29 runs before Jayden Seales dismissed Crawley for 18. Duckett then chopped one onto his stumps for 3. Nightwatchman Mark Wood fell without scoring, edging to second slip. Ollie Pope and Joe Root remained unbeaten on 6 and 2, respectively, as England finished the day at 38/3, trailing by 244 runs.
Day 1 | ENG vs WI | 3rd Test
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 26, 2024
Day two promises another fascinating contest as both teams aim to gain control of this Test match.