England vs West Indies: England put on a mammoth 507-run score on Day 2

They are at the top of this match as they successfully stacked a 500+ score for the first time since the Chennai Test match against India in 2021. 

Joe Root's and Ben Stokes' tons

After remaining not out on Day 1, Joe Root stitched up a 129-runs partnership in the morning session. As skipper inched his way to make 153 runs, Ben Stokes notched up his 11th Test century. Ben Stokes 120 runs off just 128 balls took the game away from West Indies and its bowlers and significantly boosted England's scoring rate. After his dismissal, Ben Foakes and Chris Woakes had a 75-runs partnership which helped England to cross the 500 mark. Joe Root declared the innings with two hours of play left for the day. 

Ben Stokes after the match said, "Was good to be out there and capitalize on the good work Joe and Dan put in yesterday? We obviously have a long batting line up so it was a matter of seizing the opportunity and identifying those situations.

"Obviously, winning the toss and batting, we were trying to get as many runs as we possibly can and try and get the game moving and try and get a few wickets towards the back end of the day.

"Seen a few balls spin and bounce from Leachy, a lot more than Antigua anyway. Tomorrow morning it's going to be huge. It's a good wicket, and we got two of their better batters out there. Playing in a team sport you never to try think in a selfish way and it's a very special feeling (on claiming his 11th Test ton)."

Can the West Indies bat big? 

West Indies opener didn't get a good start as England's debutant bowler Matthew Fisher dismissed John Campbell with his second ball in Test Cricket. A dream start for any bowler as he got the solitary wicket of West Indies. Jack Leech bowled some tough delivery at perfect line and length but Shamarah Brooks and Kraigg Brathwaite ensured that the hosts did not suffer any further setbacks after the first wicket before stumps. They partnered a valuable 57 runs in 156 balls to make West Indies reach 71/1 at the end of the day.

It's not going to be easy for West Indies to score big on a flat pitch, which will show variable bounce and turn as the game progresses. It won't be easy for England bowlers to take 20 wickets and prevent the match from ending in a draw. Day 3 has all the answers on where this match is headed next.

England shined on Day 2 at Barbados, as captain Joe Root, and Ben Stokes lit up the ground with their centuries. England piled up a massive target of 507 and declared at the fall of nine wickets in the first inning itself. They are at the moment on top as they successfully stacked a 500+ score for the first time since a Test match against India in 2021 at Chennai. 

Joe Root's and Ben Stokes' tons

After remaining not out on Day 1, Joe Root braided a 129-runs partnership in the morning session, as skipper inched his way to make 153 and Ben Stokes notched up his 11th Test century. Ben Stokes' 120 runs off just 128 balls took all the attacks from West Indies bowlers and significantly boosted England's scoring rate. After his dismissal, Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes stitched 75-runs partnership to aid their team cross the 500 marks on the scoreboard, after which the captain declared the innings with two hours of play left for the day. 

Ben Stokes after the match, said, "Was good to be out there capitalize on the good work Joe and Dan put in yesterday, we obviously have a long batting line up so it was matter of seizing the opportunity and identifying those situations. Obviously, winning the toss and batting, we were trying to get as many runs as we possibly can and try and get the game moving and try and get a few wickets towards the back end of the day. Seen a few balls spin and bounce from Leachy, a lot more than Antigua anyway. Tomorrow morning it's going to be huge. It's a good wicket, and we got two of their better batters out there. Playing in a team sport you never to try think in a selfish way and it's a very special feeling (on claiming his 11th Test ton)."

Can the West Indies bat big? 

West Indies opener didn't get a very good start, as England's debutant bowler Matthew Fisher dismissed John Campbell with his second ball in Test Cricket. A dream start for any bowler. Jack Leech bowled some of the tougher balls at perfect line and length but Shamarah Brooks and Kraigg Brathwaite ensured that the hosts did not suffer any further setbacks before stumps after the fall of the first wicket. They partnered 57 runs in 156 balls to make West Indies reach 71/1 at the end of the day.

It's not going to be easy for West Indies to score big on a flat pitch, which will show variable bounce and turn as the game progresses. It won't be easy for England bowlers to take 20 wickets and prevent the match from ending in a draw. Day 3 has all the answers on where this match is headed next.