England vs West Indies Test 3 Day 2: Joshua Da Silva steers the hosts towards a narrow lead

Nothing much to differentiate between the two teams and predict who has a strong chance to seal the series While the hosts would be satisfied to have a slender lead after the end of the first innings. Hopefully, a lot will be in the store for Day 3.

Middle-order collapse, Lower - Order to the rescue

West Indies got a steady start with a 50-run partnership between the openers in 102 balls. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite got dismissed early for 17 runs. The middle-order of the hosts collapsed similarly to visitors on Day 1. This might have had a thought-provoked in the mind of West Indies’ players about not being able to crack the 10th wicket partnership of Jack Leach and Saqib Mahmood of England early on Day 1. However, much like England’s lower order, West Indies lower-order stole the show with their batting and being not out at the stumps of the day with Joshua Da Silva leading from one end. Joshua Da Silva stitched a 33-run, 49-run, and ongoing 55-run partnership with Kyle Mayers, Alzarri Joseph, and Kemar Roach respectively to aid their team wipe off the deficit. Joshua da Silva remained unbeaten on 152-ball 52 for his fourth test fifty. When he got on the crease, the Caribbeans were on a difficult spot at 95/6 and now they lead by 28 runs.

“Very special innings, was much needed for the team,” said Joshua Da Silva. He added, “The pitch has flattened out a lot, but the odd ball has kept low, not much spin on offer. It's pretty up and down. We need to come out tomorrow and bat the same way, and put some runs on the board. Need to try and stretch the lead as far as we can.” 

"All of us played a very big part and Roachy and Alzarri an even bigger part than me. Roachy can bat, Alzarri can definitely bat. I have all faith in Jayden [Seales] as well so when it comes down to tomorrow, we're just going to try to get as many runs on the board as possible, try to get a good lead" he further added.

The lackluster final session for England

England on the other hand must be pondering their performance in the final session of the day. They were going well as they had pocketed 7 wickets in the first two sessions but failed to take Alzarri Joseph early as the 8th wicket, who along with Joshua Da Silva sailed closer to the target. Chris Woakes, earlier in the day, showed his class by taking three crucial wickets of Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, and Jason Holder to have a figure of 3/48.

Chris Woakes on his innings said, “It obviously hasn't been my greatest tour. The two surfaces prior to this one have been a bit hard to bowl on, full stop. But naturally, I'd have liked to have done better, no doubt about that. It was certainly not through lack of effort trying to find a way to take wickets on docile surfaces. This one, there's been a little bit more in it and I felt like I hit my straps today."

What does Day 3 have in store?

With the ball still moving on the pitch and bowlers getting the slightest movements, batting has been challenging on this wicket from Day 1. A lot of expectations from day 3, as it is said to be a major deciding day in a Test match. It will be interesting to see whether English bowlers restore the intensity by striking early or Joshua Da Silva will be able to continue his form to expand the lead further.