West Indies Strong Start in Third Test at Edgbaston | Hitting Out Column Explores Historic Fixture

West Indies enjoyed a relatively strong opening day in the third and final Test at Edgbaston, a venue that has historically been kind to the visitors, though less so in recent years. (Keith Holder shares the history of this fixture in his Hitting Out column).

But in spite of half-centuries from skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and former skipper Jason Holder on Friday, and early wickets to Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales, the tourists may feel that they could have done more to build on some solid starts.

Specifically, Brathwaite (61) and Mikyle Louis (26) enjoyed an opening stand worth 76, before Louis fell for 26. Holder (59) and Joshua Da Silva (49) also had an excellent sixth-wicket partnership of 109.

But as one wit put it, fans of most teams with 70 runs on the board before the first wicket falls can feel fairly confident that a big score is in prospect. With the West Indies, there is no such sense of certainty.

Behind those four knocks, though, there was little to write back to the Caribbean about.

Shamar Joseph smashed and grabbed a quickfire 16 off 15 balls at the death. Alzarri Joseph dominated his 20-run collaboration with Holder, adding 15 from 31. And Kirk McKenzie smashed three fours, then was dismissed. No other batter got into double figures.

West Indies, then, were all out 282. Opting to bat first, they succumbed to the home team’s swing and seam, with Gus Atkinson continuing to shine in his rookie series for the Three Lions. Atkinson took 4-67, and he has now claimed 20 scalps in the series.

Woakes was able to grab 3-69, whilst Wood added 2-52.

With the pitch doing a bit, Jayden Seales took two wickets before the close to leave England 38 for three on the first day.

Seales was aided and abetted by Holder, who was able to take two fine catches off his pace partner at second slip, sending Zak Crawley (18) back to the dressing room after he flailed at a wide delivery, then removing nightwatchman Mark Wood for nought. Sealy conceded 19 runs in his four overs.

In between, Ben Duckett played Alzarri Joseph onto his stumps, as he tried to up the scoring rate on the Antiguan. Joseph gave up 10 runs in four overs..

Ollie Pope is unbeaten on six, whilst Joe Root is on two. 244 runs ahead, West Indies will be hoping to make further inroads in the England innings on Saturday morning, as they push to avoid a whitewash, and maintain their overall winning record at this venue.

England convincingly won the first two Tests, by an innings and 114 runs at Lord’s, and by 241 runs at Trent Bridge.

(TF)