England v West Indies: Joe Root hits 12,000 runs and surpasses Brian Lara as England take control of third Test
Updated 27/07/2024 at 19:31 GMT+1
After a tumultuous start to day two, England ended play in a commanding position, recovering from an early batting wobble to make early inroads into the West Indies top order once again. Joe Root's landmark feat of 12,000 Test runs helped England reach what would have been a scarcely-believable total of 376 runs, following an alarming start which saw them left at 54-5.
Joe Root
Image credit: Getty Images
Joe Root became only the seventh man to reach 12,000 Test runs, as England gained control of the third and final match against the West Indies to lead by 61 runs at the close of day two.
Root was bowled lbw for 87 by Gudakesh Motie, but formed part of a key sixth-wicket revival with captain Ben Stokes to turn the tide in favour of the hosts.
It could have been a very different story had the West Indies called for a review when replays suggested that Root had been bowled lbw on just three runs.
But after electing not to go upstairs, Root remained at the crease and would go on to to provide a hugely telling contribution.
A sixth-wicket stand of 115 runs ensured the hosts motored on from a hugely concerning 54-5 to a far more comfortable 169-6, as Stokes was given his marching orders after being caught by Kraigg Brathwaite from the bowling of Alzarri Joseph.
The tourists had begun the day in rampant fashion, as Joseph emphatically dispatched Ollie Pope for a mere 10 runs after his delivery rattled away the middle stump off the inside edge.
Harry Brook was next to follow for only two runs, with Joshua Da Silva on hand to make the most straightforward of catches following an exceptional delivery by Jayden Seales.
England desperately needed to consolidate - and they managed to do just that - with Root taking the first of two impressive milestones at the beginning of their ascent from the doldrums.
He surpassed Brian Lara's career Test run total at the end of the 14th over, as he reached 11,954 runs. moving seventh in the all-time rankings.
Root would reach the 12,000-run milestone with a four to move England onto 162-5, but there was still a considerable amount of work to do with the hosts trailing by 116.
Stokes was next to go when he was caught at square leg by Branthwaite, but Jamie Smith entered the fray and made further inroads into the West Indian lead.
The Surrey man would move onto half a century off only 60 balls, amassing six fours and one six in the process.
He moved to 50 with a beautiful four as England came to within 18 of the West Indian total, and momentum was firmly in their favour.
However, a few spots of rain in the West Midlands air resulted in a brief delay with the hosts just eight runs behind.
Smith was agonisingly five runs away from a debut 100 after being bowled by Joseph, prompting a standing ovation from the Edgbaston crowd.
Woakes was dismissed for a creditable 62, with Joseph striking again, while any lingering hopes of an England declaration ended when Atkinson was removed for 21.
England were all out for 376 with a lead of 94 runs, which seemed hard to believe after that nightmare start - and it would get even better at the start of the visitors' second innings.
Brathwaite bowed out without scoring after the skipper was sent packing at 0-1 thanks to a superb ball from Chris Woakes.
Kirk McKenzie was the final wicket of the day to fall, with West Indies finishing on 33-2 to leave England in a fine position heading into day three.
---
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement