England stitch partnership to erase first innings deficit – Times of Oman

England stitch partnership to erase first innings deficit – Times of Oman

Southampton: England were 62 for no loss in 24 overs with Rory Burns batting on 38 (70 balls) and Dom Sibley on 23 (74 balls) on the fourth day of test championship against the West Indies in Southampton on Saturday.

Earlier, West Indies' batsmen put the visitors in a strong position at the end of day three in Southampton, as they took a commanding 114-run first-innings lead.

Resuming from a good foundation of 57/1, Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope took the score into three figures before the first wicket of the day fell. Off-spinner Dom Bess found the outside edge of Hope's flashing drive with Ben Stokes completing a sharp catch at slip.

Brathwaite passed fifty, his 18th Test half-century, but soon after was trapped leg-before by a nip-backer from Ben Stokes. Despite the loss of Brathwaite, West Indies capitalised on some loose lines from the England bowlers to continue building the score. Shamarh Brooks looked fluent for his 39 when he feathered a catch behind off James Anderson.

Blackwood was Bess's second wicket, drilling a sweetly-timed shot straight into the hands of Anderson at mid-off for 12.

Roston Chase and Shane Dowrich combined for the biggest partnership of the match so far, adding 81