England had an overall lead of 136 runs without losses at stumps in their second innings at the Kensington Oval and found themselves in a remarkably similar position to last week’s first Test.
Test 2: England extend lead over WI despite Brathwaite marathon (AP Photo)
England led the West Indies by 136 runs and set up a second statement to try and force a result in the second Test at the Kensington Oval on Saturday.
It wasn’t to be as the hosts ultimately survived easily, but not without some jittery moments after losing four wickets in their first 35 overs before ending the game undefeated. But if West Indies avoid defeat on Sunday, it will be largely down to the Herculean performance of captain Kraigg Brathwaite, who struggled for nearly 12 hours before being bowled for 160.
Brathwaite faced 489 balls, 487 more than John Campbell, when his defense was finally broken by spinner Jack Leach with a delivery that spun enough to hit the bat and clip the stump. His performance, aided by a century of Jermaine Blackwood, allowed West Indies to put together 411 runs and give England a 96-run lead in the first innings on a pitch that England spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel described as “turgid”. .
After 187.5 overs in the field, England were 40 without a loss on stumps. Openers Alex Lees (18) and Zak Crawley (21) were mostly unmolested except for a lbw decision against Crawley, which was overturned at review.
Brathwaite’s batting performance is unlikely to win any new converts for the five-day game, but his utter determination not to give his wicket away cheaply was something some of his team-mates have lacked too often lately. He played 30 consecutive balls without scoring just before lunchtime, drawing a sarcastic cheer from the crowd when he finally pressed the ball for a couple of runs.
