Manchester: Dom Sibley and Ben Stokes put up a strong 126-run partnership to support England after they were reduced to 81-3 on Day 1 of the second Test at Old Trafford.
Put in to bat first, England lost Rory Burns for 29 runs which continued West Indies’ dominancy from last match’s win. Burns (15) fell to Roston Chase on a straighter delivery clicking the pads directly.
On the very next ball, West Indies celebrated a wicket again as Zak Crawley gave a simple catch at leg gully. Back-to-back wickets took West Indies on top of the first session.
Skipper Joe Root joined Sibley at the crease and both the batters somehow managed to take England out of trouble by scoring 52 runs together. But, England had to see yet another dismissal in 32nd over when Alzarri Joseph bowled full to Root and it was the end of skipper’s inning.
Root scored 23 off 49 balls with the help of two boundaries.
Later on, Stokes and Sibley supported England’s inning. Both walked off being not out at stumps on opening day. Stokes scored 59 runs off 159 balls laced by four boundaries and a six whereas Sibley made 86 off 253 balls with the help as many boundaries as his partner.
Chase finished Day 1 with 2-53 while Joseph took a wicket and conceded 41 runs.
