England close in on big win over West Indies

LONDON, July 11

West Indies limped to 79/6 at the close on the second day of the first Test against England at Lord’s today, trailing their hosts by 171 runs and heading for a heavy defeat.

Half-centuries by Joe Root, Harry Brook and Jamie Smith lifted England to a first-innings total of 371 before James Anderson, playing his 188th and last Test match, bowled Windies captain Kraigg Brathwaite with a fine delivery that jagged back.

Kirk McKenzie, Mikyle Louis and Kavem Hodge fell cheaply and only a battling partnership between Alick Athanaze and Jason Holder ensured the game went into a third day.

Anderson dismissed Athanaze for 22, however, and Gus Atkinson snared Holder for 20 with the final ball of the day to leave Joshua Da Silva unbeaten on eight.

England had resumed on 189/3 in the morning and Brook batted with attacking intent, reaching his 12th fifty in 13 Tests before getting in a tangle over a short ball from Alzarri Joseph and skying a catch to wicketkeeper Da Silva.

Ben Stokes was bowled by Gudakesh Motie for four with a ball that spun sharply and struck the England captain’s middle stump.

Root eased to his 62nd Test fifty and looked completely untroubled until just before lunch when Motie produced another fine turning delivery to bowl him for 68.

The 23-year-old Smith, making his Test debut, shared a 52-run partnership with Chris Woakes who was caught at square leg off Jayden Seales for 23. “We are close to a perfect position,” Smith said. — Reuters