LEEDS, England – Windies batsmen Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope scored superb centuries to put Windies in a strong position at 329-5 – a first innings lead of 71 – after they dismissed England for 258 on the opening day.
Brathwaite made 134 – his sixth Test century, second against England and first in England. The 24-year-old faced 249 balls and hit 17 fours a two sixes – the second over long-on which brought up the century.
Hope closed at 147 not out off 252 balls with 23 boundaries. It was a maiden Test century for the 23-year-old and the landmark came off 159 balls with 17 fours.
The pair came together during a challenging morning when Windies were 35-3. They added a record 246 runs for the fourth wicket which spanned five hours off 69 overs.
This was the highest partnership for West Indies in England since the memorable unbroken 287 between Gordon Greenidge and Larry Gomes in the famous victory at Lord’s in 1984.
The match continues on Sunday. The first ball is 11 am (6 am Eastern Caribbean Time/5am Jamaica Time).
Summarised scores: ENGLAND 258 (Ben Stokes 100, Joe Root 59; Shannon Gabriel 4-51, Kemar Roach 4-71) WINDIES 329-5 (Shai Hope 147 not out, Kraigg Brathwaite 134, Jermaine Blackwood 21 not out; James Anderson 3-46)
Below is an audio of Brathwaite and Hope as they spoke to the media at the end of the first day’s play
https://soundcloud.com/windiescricket/cwi-media-2017-08-26-kraigg-brathwaite-and-shai-hope
Up to 12:23 pm on the third day, it’s been all windies. The players have made all of us proud so far, and hope they bring us home. Three criticisms so far 1. they need to work on their fielding and take their catches. If they did match would be over by now 2. ICC must make better use of technology by ensuring that a batsman that is out is given out and when not out is given not out. They should immolate the USA baseball where review, where the dressing room first takes a look of the review and if they feel it’s close they have a minute to challenge. Challenge should not all together be the job of the players because they don’t see it in slow motion. Malan was no doubt caught, but because we lost a review Gabriel did not want to challenge and that could be the changer! It bad for cricket!
Oh my third point is the Bishoo. Why has Holder only used him for three overs especially since he got the prize wicket of Joe Root in the first inning and Root is in the wicket? You can’t bowl Chase more than you main spinner. Is it a sign that Holder feels they should have given him a third fast bowler instead of Bishoo? If that’s the case Holder should still bowl him more and let him fail to prove selectors wrong
So far so good,but the unpredictability of the WI,and cricket generally,demands that I wait till the end to expand.But yes 4 players have stood out so far: Roach,Gabriel,Craigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope.
You left out Blackwood? Has to be a mistake on your side. I am from T&T but Blackwood has been the most consistent so far and I also would like to add captain Holder