Windies keep pace

Manchester, July 19

Half-centuries from Kraigg Brathwaite and Shamarh Brooks guided West Indies to 227/4 at tea to reduce England’s first innings lead to 242 runs on the fourth day of the second Test here today.

West Indies, who started the day 437 runs behind England, need 43 more runs to avoid the follow-on.

Brathwaite looked well set to go on and get a century before a momentary lapse in concentration saw him caught and bowled by Ben Stokes for 75.

Brooks, who played with a steady hand at the other end to build a 76-run partnership with Brathwaite, remained unbeaten on 60 at the end of the session with Roston Chase (8 not out) for company.

Nightwatchman Alzarri Joseph was first to be dismissed earlier today when spinner Dom Bess had him caught at short leg for 32.

Shai Hope came out and stitched together a 53-run partnership with Brathwaite before falling for 25 when he was caught behind after nicking an off-cutter from Sam Curran.

England had declared their first innings on Day 2 on 469/9, on the back of centuries from Ben Stokes (176) and opener Dom Sibley (120).

West Indies have a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series, which is being played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic, after winning the first Test in Southampton. The third Test will also be played in Manchester. — Reuters

Umpires sanitise ball after Sibley’s saliva gaffe

The on-field umpires were forced to disinfect the match ball after Dominic Sibley inadvertently applied saliva on the ball on the fourth day. Before the start of the 42nd over of the visitors’ innings, umpire Michael Gough was seen unwrapping a tissue and he subsequently rubbed it on both sides of the ball. It was later revealed that Sibley had accidentally applied saliva on the ball and the home side brought the matter immediately to the notice of the umpires, who went ahead and sanitised the ball. According to the ICC protocols, a team will recieve a warning first in case of inadvertent or deliberate use of saliva on the match ball. After two warnings, the team will be handed a five-run penalty. IANS