England v West Indies: ‘Crucial’ Joe Root-Harry Brook partnership help hosts build lead over tourists
Published 20/07/2024 at 19:50 GMT+1
Harry Brook produced his ninth Test half-century to give England some breathing space against West Indies on the third day of the second Test at Trent Bridge. The Yorkshire batsman made 71 while his partner Joe Root contributed 37 as they ended Saturday unbroken. "That partnership at the end was a crucial one for us in terms of getting a grip of the game,” Chris Woakes said.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
England recovered from a turbulent morning against West Indies at Trent Bridge to build a respectable lead of 207 runs on the third day of the second Test.
The home side ended the day on 248-3 as the unbroken Joe Root and Harry Brook partnership put on 108 to end Saturday’s action.
Speaking to the BBC, all-rounder Chris Woakes described Root and Brook’s partnership as “crucial” as they prepare for day four.
"It was a good day's cricket, it went back and forth a bit, and that partnership at the end was a crucial one for us in terms of getting a grip of the game,” he said.
"We're still not in complete control because tomorrow morning is going to be crucial. But that partnership in tricky conditions, when it got a bit dark and they had a newer ball, it was tough. The boys batted really well and hopefully, they can kick on in the morning.
“You never know, there's a lot of cricket to be played. Tomorrow morning is crucial, we need to kick on with this partnership.
"West Indies will feel right back in it with a couple of quick wickets so we need to take the game away from them and get a big lead - 350, 400, 450, as many as possible."
West Indies closed the gap on England during day two on Friday and ended the day 65 runs behind, as Kavem Hodge starred with a maiden Test century.
Having begun the day 351-5, England reduced the tourists to 386-9 with the new second ball and then Ben Stokes introduced some questionable tactics.
The field was spread for Joshua Da Silva with a plan to expose Shamar Joseph, but things did not go to plan as the pair smashed five sixes, one so powerful it shattered the roof tiles of the Nottingham stadium.
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The Da Silva-Joseph duo added 71 for before the latter was caught for 33 by Gus Atkinson off a tricky Mark Wood ball.
Joseph’s dismissal signalled the end of the first innings with Da Silva on 82 not out, as West Indies recorded their largest score on English soil since 1995 with 457 to lead by 41.
Zak Crawley was quickly run out for three runs but Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope stepped in and quickly wiped out West Indies’ lead, with Duckett making 76 and Pope adding 51.
However, the pair were both dismissed by Alzarri Joseph within eight balls as the momentum swung back into West Indies' favour.
England finished with Brook and Root unbeaten at stumps, with Brook registering his ninth Test half-century with 71 while Root moved to 37 at the end of day three.
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