Twitter Reactions: Inspired West Indies side strikes back in the final session to push England on the back foot

An inspired West Indies side clawed their way back into the match by picking up 5 wickets in the final session as England finished Day 4 with the scorecard reading 284/8. The hosts lead by 170 runs, as we head into the fifth day.

Earlier in the day, the England openers produced a solid start for their side by putting on 72 runs for the first wicket. The openers were prudent in their approach, but at the same time punished any loose delivery that the West Indies bowlers offered. Roston Chase provided the breakthrough by removing Rory Burns for 42, but Dom Sibley continued to milk the runs to score his first half-century on English soil.

The visitors struck back when Shannon Gabriel removed Sibley soon after he had completed his fifty, and Chase scalped the wicket of Joe Denly. But then, the duo of Zack Crawley and Ben Stokes put on a sublime 98 run partnership for the fourth wicket for the hosts.

The partnership between Crawley and Stokes

Crawley was in sublime touch throughout his stay in the middle as he struck a fluent 76. The right-hander was not afraid to use his feet to the spinners but when the ball was pitched short, he rocked onto the back foot and picked the gaps with immaculate precision. A back-foot punch off Roston Chase through extra cover was a treat to watch. At the other end, Stokes produced some gorgeous drives off the front foot through the offside.

The West Indies pacers strike back

Just when it seemed as if England were cruising, things turned on their head. After Jason Holder removed Ben Stokes for the second time in the match, Alzaari Joseph scalped the wicket of Crawley to push England on the back foot. Jos Buttler was the next man to depart, as he was bowled through the gate by a full delivery from Joseph.

Gabriel then cleaned up Ollie Pope and Dom Bess as England lost 5 wickets in the space of just 12 overs. If rain stays away on the final day, the West Indies will definitely fancy their chances of upsetting England on their home soil.

We are all set for an exciting final day.

Here are the reactions from Twitter

Cracking finish on the cards. @ECB_cricket have a 170 run lead with 2 wickets in hand. Any target under 200 and @windiescricket will fancy their chances. Who do you think are favorites #ENGvWI

— Harshil Pankaj Kakaiya (@harshilpk) July 12, 2020

One hell of a contest today❤️.. Windies shouldn't let tail to score more than 30 runs. Anything above 200+ is tricky.. #ENGvWI

— Vinay_Riki🥴 (@VINAYBALLA2) July 12, 2020

Jos buttler has managed to get only 1 fifty in his last 21 test innings #Cricket #ENGvWI

— Cric Sidd (@CricSidd) July 12, 2020

England will depend alot on better bowling spells from Archar and Wood.

Anderson will do the rest with Stokes.

Stokes will be extremely important on 5th day as a bowler. #ENGvWI

— Aqeel 🏏 (@AqeelViews) July 12, 2020

Cricket’s come back couldn’t have been more intriguing, a ripper of a final day on the cards. #ENGvsWI 🤩🤩 It’s a Sunday too, don’t miss it ✅✅

— Ashwin (During Covid 19)🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) July 12, 2020

There's a lot of talk on here tonight about Jos Buttler and his place in the @englandcricket side with the gloves.He's a far better, more valuable player for his country when just batting, give the gloves to Ben Foakes, the best wicketkeeper in England

— Jonathan Squires (@jonson74) July 11, 2020

Fully understand why plenty are focusing on Joe Denly, but Jos Buttler can count himself lucky that his Test batting/scores isn't at the centre of attention and being scrutinised as much as the Kent batsman

— Joshua Peck (@JoshPeck_92) July 11, 2020

Jos Buttler finding the ‘Buttler room’ in Ed Smith’s house pic.twitter.com/A0fogE8JjK

— The Corpulent Cricketers' Club (@ClubCorpulent) July 11, 2020

About time @ECB_cricket admitted what everyone else can see that Jos Buttler isn’t a red ball cricketer…white ball yes, red ball no. #ENGvWI #GiveTheGlovesToFoakes

— Fake Sir Geoff Boycott (@SirGeoffBoycott) July 11, 2020

Why on earth does Jos Buttler play test cricket when we have someone like Ben Foakes?? Blows my fucking mind man

— Bradley Earl (@bradn95) July 11, 2020

Jos Buttler perfectly represents those days when a wicket keeper wasn't picked for his batting. Not that he's much cop behind the stumps either.

— Denman (@densk14) July 11, 2020

I just don’t get the Joe Denly hate. He’s averaging around 30 & consistently setting a platform in an era where top order batting has never been tougher. Hardly anyone banging down the door.

Jos Buttler meanwhile…. #ENGvWIN #bbccricket

— Freddie (@freddiejturner) July 11, 2020

A great commentary moment#ENGvsWI #ENGvWIN pic.twitter.com/V6VGT0bego

— Richard (@RichardEsx) July 11, 2020

Test of patience….Even Corona virus pandemic can't break the momentum….Good battle between Bat n ball… #WIvsEng https://t.co/sdy7oqLsrS

— Nirakar100 (@Nirakar1002) July 11, 2020

Ufhhh Kitna piyr hen
In mein😍🙊😂#ENGvWI #WIvsEng pic.twitter.com/IhlGTwxrTu

— Urooj Jawed (@JawedUrooj) July 11, 2020

Athers just got trolled live with the reports sent in from local games. Huge hard on playing at cockermouth #wivseng pic.twitter.com/GGS9DFivrZ

— Neil Gregory (@Ngreg) July 11, 2020

Most test matches by a player at home

Tendulkar 94
Pointing 92
Cook 89
Waugh 89
Kallis 88
Border 86
Anderson 85* (including this current test at Southampton)

Anderson becomes 7th test player to atleast play 85 tests at home. #ENGvWI #wiveng #wivseng #engvswi #wicb #ECB

— Prashanth (@YVPRASH) July 11, 2020

West indies are in commanding position after day 4, the big man Joseph bring them to a position from where they can think of win. I think @josbuttler will never forget his scattered stumps #ENGvWI #WIvsEng #RaiseTheBat @ECB_cricket @windiescricket #BlackLivesMattters #TestCricket

— bikash mishra🇮🇳 (@bikash86) July 11, 2020

Can @ICC take a leaf out of @premierleague book? I think virtual crowd noise should be added for the viewers at home. It is already a shame to see an empty agaes bowl. Such an interesting restart of test cricket #WIvsEng. Crowd noise would be an amazing add-on.

— Paramveer Rana (@RanaParam) July 11, 2020

STAT: This is the second time Kemar Roach has bowled 35 overs in a Test match and could not pick a wicket.

Last time, it happened in 2015 against England in St. George. #ENGvWI #WIvsENG #ENGvsWI

— Aayush Sharma 🏳️‍🌈 (@JournalistWFH) July 11, 2020

This test match is so balanced right now, if #WestIndies All out #england Under 200 it would be a great opportunity for the #WI to get a lead in the series #WIvsEng #cricketisback

— Aman Gupta (@AmanGup20132380) July 11, 2020

Perhaps if the umpires weren't bias since the start of the game, WI would be able to trust their decisions? #WIvsEng

— ᖇOᗩᑎᑎᗩ (@theroanna) July 11, 2020

Cricket without Spectators is like a food without salt 😐 #RaiseTheBat #ENGvWI #WIvsEng

— Sandeep Chaudhary (@sandyhimachal) July 11, 2020

Crawley has also reached 2 a fifty which is gonna please the selection committee than anyone else !! @englandcricket have certainly put up a spirited fight so far !! #ENGvWI #WIvsEng #RaiseTheBat test #cricketisback #Cricket @cricbuzz

— Tejas Pujare (@tejas_pujare) July 11, 2020

Once again Joe Denly gives it away after getting a start. Was expecting a good score😕 #WIvsENG

— Jay Pandya (@jaypandya333) July 11, 2020

That was a hard earned fifty by Sibley.
Little luck on the way but still well played.#WIvsEng

— Anshu Bhattarai (@anshuplusianshu) July 11, 2020