Twitter Reactions: Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood's 90-run stand saves England from humiliation in Grenada Test

As the first two Tests between West Indies and England ended in draw, both teams stacked up their lineups with batters and all-rounders rather than pure bowlers but despite that, there was a flurry of wickets at the start of the innings for the visitors. However, England managed to revive themselves with an excellent last-wicket stand, between Saqib Mahmood and Jack Leach, and got to a somewhat respectable total in the end.

Earlier in the day, West Indies opted to bowl first after winning the toss and the move worked out really well for the host nation at the Grenada National Cricket Stadium. England’s new opening combination Alex Lees and Zak Crawley did start off well, and the former particularly got going straight away. Skipper Brathwaite brought Kyle Mayers into the attack and it paid off really well as the latter picked up Crawley for just 7 runs.

Joe Root came out to the middle and surprisingly, he was out for a duck off Mayers’ bowling. Lawrence and Lees tried to battle it out in the crease but Lawrence couldn’t last long as he was trapped LBW in front of the wickets. Stokes followed Lawrence soon and all hopes were on Lees to play big innings. However, Roach who came for his second spell managed to pick Lees while Bairstow could not affect the scoreboard either.

Leach and Mahmood revive England

Ben Foakes and Chris Woakes were cleaned up by Jayden Seales for seven and 25 respectively while Overton made a decent contribution of 14 coming into bat at number eight. The visitors were in all sorts of trouble at 114/9 in the 54th over and they desperately were in need of a miracle. Jack Leach who is known for his ability to stick around for a long time at the crease joined hands with Saqib Mahmood.

The duo added 90 runs for the last wicket and played out 36.2 overs together, almost taking it to the end of the day’s play. However, Mahmood who was playing really well on 49 got dismissed in the last over of the day as Blackwood got through the defences of the former while Leach stayed unbeaten at the crease on 41 off 141 deliveries.  It was an unfortunate end as Mahmood deserved a half-century for his valiant effort as England was bundled out for 204.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to England’s last wicket display:

The only other time nos 10 and 11 have top scored in a Test innings was in 1885!! #WIvsENG pic.twitter.com/5mLLueXpLh

— simon hughes (@theanalyst) March 24, 2022

So England still can’t bat on pitches that do a bit, and we still can’t bowl on flat pitches. So what exactly have we learnt from this tour? #WIvsENG

— Alex Duffell (@alex_duffell) March 24, 2022

Saqib Mahmood – 49 runs
England's top six – 48 runs#WIvsENG #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) March 24, 2022

West Indies vs England 3rd Test: England recover with defiant 10th-wicket stand vs Windies

READ: https://t.co/uRny4B2CEq#WIvENG #WIvsENG pic.twitter.com/krQCFCR9Eb

— TOI Sports (@toisports) March 25, 2022

"Extras" has already scored more runs than the combined total of Root, Stokes and Bairstow 🙄#WIvsENG

— Jethro (@Buzzard_Stubble) March 24, 2022

A 90-run last-wicket partnership between #JackLeach and #SaqibMahmood rescued England from a desperate position before they were finally dismissed for 204 on Day 1 of the 3rd Test against the West Indies#WIvENG #WIvsENGhttps://t.co/AdruEj3bCr

— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) March 25, 2022

I absolutely love Saq and Leachy 😍

That partnership just defies belief in the circumstances. All logic says it was impossible. Magnificent stuff lads #WIvENG #WIvsENG

— Niall 🇺🇦 (@Crusty_Crouton) March 24, 2022

The last wicket pair scoring the highest partnership of the innings, doesn’t happen very often in Test cricket 😳#WIvENG #WIvsENG #englandcricket #barmyarmy

— Sportzologist (@sportzologist) March 24, 2022

#WIvsENG WI won the toss, chose to bowl and had England 114 for 9. Last wicket added 90 runs to see England at 204 all out. Intresting first day! Hopefully the final test match won't end in a dull draw.

— Santosh Singh (@santoshiitbhu) March 24, 2022

England were 67/7
Then 114/9
A disastrous batting collapse but we have seen a lot of them from England
West Indies would have wanted to wrap up things but the last wicket stand
Leach scored 41 and Mahmood 49
Taking the total to 204
Still a low score but respectable#WIvsENG

— Lakshay Kumar (@Lakshay0607) March 24, 2022