ENG v WI, 3rd Test Day 2 Review: West Indies’ fortunes hinge on Hope after James Anderson's 500th

Shai Hope was once again at the cynosure of a possible West Indies fight back. The hosts were effectively 22 for 3 when stumps were drawn by Marais Erasmus after a grueling extended final session where artificial lights took effect for the best part of the 31 overs. England have their noses slightly ahead going into the third day of the final Test tomorrow.

Rain hinderance cuts short morning session

Only 4.2 overs were possible in the morning session before the rain arrived again to wash out the rest of the session. The ground staff and the drainage facility at the iconic Lord’s Stadium did a fabulous job to get the game going after just a fifteen-minute delay, post heavy showers not long before the start of play. 26 balls were still enough for the visitors to snap another wicket before an early lunch was taken with England tottering at 64 for 5. Newbie Dawid Malan was the victim, nicking one to the keeper off quick bowler Kemar Roach.

Ben Stokes countered the seaming and overcast conditions by backing his aggressive instincts to score his 12th Test half-century. He sewed a 56-run partnership with Bairstow (21) to take the home side within touching distance of West Indies’ total. Stokes was walking back to the pavilion when he was castled by Gabriel for a well made 60 off 74 balls with England just 5 runs ahead and 3 wickets intact. Moeen Ali fell shortly after but Broad, who has to be the best No. 10 in the world, ensured that the hosts have a sizeable lead. He struck 2 sixes and 4 fours during his enterprising innings of 38 off 45. England added 60 runs for the last two wickets to gain a crucial 71-run lead. Kemar Roach was the latest addition to the Lord’s honors board as he returned with 5 for 72 while skipper Holder was efficient, collecting 4/54.

Historic moment at the home of cricket

Everyone present at the Lord’s, barring the West Indies team, were anticipating to witness history when James Anderson ran into bowl with the new ball. The Lancashire star became the third fast bowler in the history of Test cricket to complete 500 wickets when he went through the defenses of Kraigg Brathwaite in the 3rd over. Only five bowlers have more Test victims than Anderson, who is likely to overtake at least two of them in the next one and a half years.

Anderson’s long time bowling partner Stuart Broad struck seven overs later when he caught Kyle Hope in front of an in-dipper. Senior Hope isn’t having the best of tours as he has managed to get just 4 runs in 4 innings in the last two Tests. The latest inductee of the 500-wicket club, Anderson, struck again just when West Indies started breathing normally at the back of a solid 46-run stand for the third wicket between Shai Hope and opener Kieran Powell. The former looked solid, though he had a reprieve when Stokes dropped him in the fourth over with the left-hander on just 2, as he looked certain to reach his first half-century of the Test series. With the visitors trailing by just 2 runs, Anderson opened up Powell by a scorcher of a delivery which hit the top of the stumps. The opener had no idea about the away swinger bowled from around the stumps as he made his way back for 45. Shai Hope started looking more comfortably once the ball got a little old and hit crisp boundaries in his unbeaten 35. Roston Chase gave him company

The former looked solid, though he had a reprieve when Stokes dropped him in the fourth over with the left-hander on just 2, as he looked certain to reach his first half-century of the Test series. With the visitors trailing by just 2 runs, Anderson opened up Powell by a scorcher of a delivery which hit the top of the stumps. The opener had no idea about the away swinger bowled from around the stumps as he made his way back for 45. Shai Hope started looking more comfortably once the ball got a little old and hit crisp boundaries in his unbeaten 35. Roston Chase gave him company until the end of the day after successfully surviving 18 deliveries off which he scored three singles.

Anderson’s ugly interaction

Just before stumps were called, Anderson had an extended argument with umpire Erasmus as the former warned him twice for running in the danger area. It was a historic day for the fast bowler but it went sore when he repeatedly showed his disappointment to the umpire. Joe Root had to calm things down and bring Anderson on from the other end, a smart move considering the significance of this game.

West Indies will have to show substance if they want to accomplish the dream of winning a Test series in England, a feat the Caribbean nation last achieved in the summer of 1988. Hope is looking solid again but needs support from the other end to give their bowlers something to defend. If the visitors can see through the first hour tomorrow morning without much damage, they can spring another surprise in London.

Brief Scores

West Indies – 93 for 3 (Kieran Powell 45, Shai Hope 35*, James Anderson 2/17) & 123 all out

England – 194 all out (Ben Stokes 60, Kemar Roach 5/72, Jason Holder 4/54).