Exciting First Day in the England vs West Indies Test Match
England vs Windies 3rd test at Edgbaston began with an exciting and eventful day, ending with England at 38 for 3, trailing by 244 runs against the West Indies’ total of 282. The West Indies showed moments of brilliance, but their challenge is to turn these into game-changing plays.
Kraigg Brathwaite and Jason Holder both scored half-centuries, leading their team to a somewhat underwhelming 282. The standout bowlers for England were Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes, who took 4 and 3 wickets respectively. However, Jayden Seales struck back for the West Indies, taking two crucial wickets in the evening session.
The West Indies’ performance in the first innings brought back memories of their competitive spirit at Trent Bridge, though their second-innings collapse in the previous Test still loomed large. This first day at Edgbaston mirrored that pattern, with periods of solid play interrupted by sudden collapses.
Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis began with a promising 76-run opening partnership. But a sudden collapse saw the team lose 5 wickets for just 39 runs in a little over seven overs. Holder and Joshua Da Silva then added 109 runs for the sixth wicket, only to see the partnership broken as Woakes and Atkinson found their swing again.
In a dramatic twist, England’s openers fell in quick succession. Zak Crawley was dismissed by Seales, caught by Holder. Alzarri Joseph then removed Ben Duckett, who chopped the ball onto his stumps. Mark Wood, the nightwatchman, also fell to Seales, caught at second slip by Holder, leaving England with much to ponder overnight.
Woakes managed to get the ball moving with a fuller delivery, beating both Da Silva and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who conceded four byes. Shortly after, Woakes trapped Da Silva on the front pad but the ball seemed to be heading down the leg side. Nevertheless, Woakes then drew a loose shot from Da Silva, who edged to Smith, falling one run short of his fifty. This wicket was crucial for England as the West Indies had been recovering well.
Woakes’ ability to swing the ball returned, and he claimed his third wicket when Alzarri Joseph skied an outswinger to Ben Stokes at mid-off. Atkinson then produced a beauty to dismiss Holder, with the ball swinging away and dislodging the off stump as Holder tried to play across the line. Holder’s slow walk off the field reflected the West Indies’ frustration.
Atkinson continued his fine form by removing Gudakesh Motie with a short ball that saw Motie awkwardly fending above his head. Joe Root took an excellent catch, diving from slip to grab the ball. Shoaib Bashir, who shone in England’s second-Test victory, wrapped up the innings by getting Shamar Joseph out, caught by Crawley after a high shot down the ground.
Earlier in the day, Louis struggled to get off the mark, finally doing so after 22 balls. West Indies reached 49 without loss in the first hour after winning the toss. Brathwaite reached his fifty, his first in nine Test innings since July last year, by guiding a delivery from Stokes past point.
Atkinson made the initial breakthrough, with Louis edging a short ball behind to Smith. Louis, despite reaching double figures for the fifth consecutive innings, has yet to surpass the 27 runs he made on his debut at Lord’s.
Wood’s pace wasn’t as threatening as it was at Trent Bridge but still troubled the West Indies. Brathwaite took a painful blow from a short ball, and Wood later bowled Kirk McKenzie with a fast, inswinging yorker.
Atkinson took his second wicket just before lunch, dismissing Alick Athanaze, who bottom-edged a short ball onto his stumps. West Indies went to lunch at 97 for 3.
The afternoon session saw two quick wickets for England, maintaining their control. Brathwaite added only five runs after lunch before being caught behind off Wood, although replays suggested the ball came off his glove, not the bat handle. Just two balls later, Kavem Hodge misjudged a delivery from Woakes, which crashed into the stumps.
The first day of the Test ended with both teams showing flashes of brilliance but also signs of vulnerability. England’s bowlers, particularly Atkinson and Woakes, did well to restrict the West Indies. However, the visitors struck back in the evening to keep the contest finely balanced. The challenge for both teams will be to capitalize on their strong moments as the match progresses.
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