West Indies had won the toss and opted to bowl as there was grass on the pitch. In the initial stage of the morning session, the batters found it difficult as the bounce was uneven.
West Indies lost 2 DRS (Decision Review System) reviews in the very first session. Just at the brink of Lunch (Afternoon Session), England lost wickets in a quick session.
The wrecker in chief was Kyle Mayers who took 2 wickets and rock England’s batting lineup. The score at lunch was 46-3 in 27 overs. England’s Captain Joe Root was sent back to the pavilion which turned out to be a turning point as he is in the form of his life.
West Indies captain’s decision to bowl proved to be fruitful as picking up 3 wickets that too of top-order would undoubtedly be a delight for any captain.
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Afternoon Session
The condition of England went from bad to worse. The middle-order crisis continued as Caribbean bowlers made the most of the pitch.
England’s score at the stroke of Tea was 114-9 runs. The damage was done by the entire bowling unit as none of a pacer took a 5-wicket haul. Jayden Seales, Kemar Roach, and Jason Holder hunted one by one.
It looked as if England’s batters performance has taken a huge dip just like when they played in Ashes 2021-22. The interim Head Coach Paul Collingwood should have serious conversations as this brand of Cricket isn’t acceptable at this level.
England is reeling at the bottom of World Test Championship Cycle 2021-23. England has forgotten that Test Cricket is the pinnacle and TEST of Character.
The ECB (England Cricket Board) is busy promoting white-ball format and creating new format i.e. Hundred season 2. ECB needs to rethink and revisit their priorities as their red ball Cricket is going in a dark tunnel.
Bangladesh is making commendable strides as recently they defeated New Zealand in New Zealand, ECB should take a leaf out of Bangladesh’s performance.
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Evening Session
Just when it looked like West Indies would bat around 20-25 overs, then from nowhere Jack Leach, the left arm over spinner, and Saqib Mahmood the speedster bailed out England. From 114-9, both tail-enders took England’s total to 204 runs in 89.4 runs.
Leach & Saqib both the batters scored 40 odd runs. England’s bowlers would be somewhat relieved as they got not a respectable score but a decent one as the pitch has started to misbehave.
England has a mountain to climb as bowling won’t be easy as West Indies batters would be in attacking mode just like the previous Test Match at Barbados.
Irrespective of the Test Series, the pitches have been benign which isn’t a great advertisement for Test Cricket where the majority of Youth has already shifted their focus to the white ball, IPL, and Franchise Cricket.
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What lies ahead on Day 2
England would hope that the conditions suit the fast bowlers. The bowlers need to bowl full deliveries to take wickets and make batters play shots on the front foot.
England knows that they have an outside chance. They have to rip off the West Indies batting lineup. West Indies on the other side would be unhappy as they let the total reach 200 run mark as the score was 114-9.
The management and Head Coach Phil Simmons should give absolute role clarity to players as they have to make sure that they score 400 runs.
If they score four hundred then they would win the maiden Richards-Botham Trophy 2022 as of now the series is leveled by 0-0. All in all, we are in for the most important Day in the Richards-Botham Trophy 2022.
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