The West Indies reaped the benefits of bowling full and straight in tough conditions for batsmen as England lost four wickets to collapse to 106-5 on the second morning of the first Test at an empty Ageas Bowl in Southampton yesterday.
The decision of England captain Ben Stokes to bat first was looking misguided as the top order struggled to deal with the pace and seam movement of Shannon Gabriel (3-38) and Jason Holder (2-24).
It could have been much worse for England, too, with Stokes dropped by a diving Kemar Roach at long-leg minutes before lunch when the score was 89-5.
Photo: Reuters
After England resumed on 35-1, Gabriel bowled Joe Denly for 18 and then sent another full delivery down that trapped Rory Burns (30) in front of the stumps. A not-out decision was given by the on-field umpire, but that was reversed on review, with Hawk-Eye having the ball hitting leg-stump.
By that stage, Gabriel had removed England’s top three for figures of 3-34.
Holder replaced his strike bowler after a five-over stint and was just as effective, despite bowling slightly shorter and slower. The captain generated enough movement to deceive Zak Crawley (10) as the batsman fell away and missed the ball, clipping his pad with his bat instead.
Again, the umpire said not out, but a review again showed the ball hitting leg.
Ollie Pope hit a beautiful drive through the covers for four, but was out soon after, edging Holder behind after more seam movement off a shorter ball that Pope could have left because of its height.
Stokes was unbeaten on 36 and Jos Buttler was 27 not out in the second session as of press time last night, with England moving on to 141-5.
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