In a spell that thwarted the English resistance, Kemar Roach picked up four wickets to end the first innings of the third and final test at 277.
In the morning, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes walked out to resume from the overnight tally of 231/4 . Their partnership helped steady the ship for England on the first day at a time when their innings was looking very reminiscent to the ones from Bridgetown and Antigua.
The pair started out cautiously in an effort to press the advantage and work towards a bigger total. However, Shannon Gabriel broke the stand with a delivery that was as quick as it was genius, scattering Buttler’s bails. Jonny Bairstow stepped in to offer some defence against the brutal pace of Roach and Gabriel.
In the 93rd over, Roach caught the edge of Stokes’s willow to give Shane Dowrich an easy catch behind the stumps. Then, he got Bairstow to chop the ball back on to the stumps a few overs later. The tail did not trouble the scorers much as the innings came to an end seven runs later.
It will be very interesting to see whether the West Indies batsmen fare any better against the likes James Anderson and Stuart Broad on a pitch that looks strongly in the favour of pacers. Bolstered by returning bowler Mark Wood’s quick deliveries, England have a good chance to redeem themselves at St Lucia.
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