England versus WI 3rd Test 1st Day: Ollie Pope and Jos Buttler partnership puts England in a decent partnership
The unbeaten partnership between Jos Buttler and Ollie Pope
have ensured that England end the first day of the 3rd Test match at
Old Trafford, Manchester in a strong position on Friday.
West Indies captain Jason Holder won the toss and decided to
field first. It was a perfect start as Kemar Roach got rid of last match
centurion Dom Sibley. Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach bowled tight lines and
lengths going past the bat a lot of times. Joe Root survived an LBW call as
West Indies decided to review the decision. The decision was upheld as the ball
pitched outside off.
Jason Holder bought himself on in the 7th over
itself. Gabriel went off the field due to an injury as Kemar Roach completed
his over. Rakheem Cornwall included in playing XI was bought into the attack by
Holder in the 13th over. Burns and Root played struggled with their
timing but remained solid enough. A superb one-handed throw by Roston Chase
ended the innings for Root. Root and Bruns added 46 runs for the 2nd
wicket. England went into the lunch break at 66 for 2 with Stokes and Burns at the crease.
West Indies captain Holder started the 2nd
session play along with Kemar Roach. After a decent spell by Holder, Cornwall
was bought into the attack. Roach produced a peach of a delivery to dismiss last
match hero Stokes putting England pressure. Rory Burns looked solid with
defense techniques. Gabriel came into the attack and beat the bat of Burns and
Pope.
Roston Chase was bought into the attack for the first time.
Rory Burns reached a well-compiled fifty off 126 balls. A sensational catch by
Cornwall who stuck both his hands to end Burns innings. Pope and Burns added 30
runs for the 4th wicket. Jos Buttler survived a close call off Chase
bowling which turned and did not hit the stumps. Ollie Pope also was reprieved
as Chase missed a run-out chance. At the end of the 2nd session, England
was 131 for 4.
After a few scares in the initial stages of 3rd the session, Ollie Pope played with confidence and took the advantage of bad
bowling by the West Indies bowlers. West Indies decided to review the LBW decision,
but it was upheld due to clipping off the bails. Pope reached his fifty off 77
balls while Jos Buttler also looked confident with his stroke play. Buttler was
severe against Cornwall smashing him for 2 sixes in the over.
Jos Buttler and Pope continued to milk West Indies wayward
bowling. Buttler finally returned to form with well-made fifty off 104 balls.
Kemar Roach took the 2nd new ball and almost got the wicket. Ollie
Pope also survived as the catch fell short of John Campbell before umpires
called it off due to bad light. From 122 for 4, Pope and Buttler have added so
far 136 runs for the 5th wicket. England ended the first day on 258
for 4.
England 258 for 4 in 85.4 overs (Pope 91*, Buttler 56*,
Burns 57, Roach 2/56, Chase 1/24)
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| Jos Buttler and Pope ensured that England end day 1 of the 3rd Test in a strong position |
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