Twitter Reactions: Joshua Da Silva's fightback with tailenders put West Indies in command

The ongoing third Test match between West Indies and England is proceeding like a rollercoaster. In reply to the visitors’ 204 in the first innings, the Caribbean side ended Day 2 at 232/8, having earned a lead of 28 runs. Interestingly, both innings saw a batting-order collapse and a fightback from the tailenders. While Jack Leach and Saqib Mahmood saved the blushes for England, there were multiple contributions from West Indies’ lower order.

The most significant knock came from wicketkeeper-batter Joshua Da Silva, who slammed a half-century and walked back unbeaten at stumps. Speaking of the entire day’s play, West Indies came out to bat and got off to a decent start with openers Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell adding 50 runs for the opening wicket. However, stellar spells from Chris Woakes and Craig Overton meant the hosts suffered a batting collapse.

Joshua Da Silva’s remarkable resilience spare West Indies’ blushes

As a result, West Indies lost six wickets inside 100 runs. However, Kyle Mayers joined forces with Da Silva and the duo engaged in the repair work. The duo looked solid for quite a while before Mayers fell prey to Ben Stokes at a personal score of 28. At 128/7, the hosts were in a great spot of bother. However, Da Silva didn’t put his guards down and he got substantial support from Alzarri Joseph and Kemar Roach.

The 23-year-old first stitched up a 49-run stand with Joseph (28), which took West Indies close to England’s total. He then found another potent partner in Roach as West Indies went past the visting team’s score. In the process, Da Silva also brought up his half-century. He and Roach remained unbeaten at the scores of 54 and 25 respectively as West Indies aim to get a substantial first-innings lead.

“Very special innings, was much needed for the team. 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,” said Da Silva after the end of day’s play.

Meanwhile, let’s look at how Twitterati reacted to the day’s proceedings:

I liked Joshua Da Silva anyway, but more so after he said "I am the worst 'keeper in the whole World" on the stump mic yesterday

— Mark Puttick (@GryllidaeC) March 25, 2022

Joshua Da Silva has a special talent to bat with tail-enders in Test cricket.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 25, 2022

50 for Joshua Da Silva. Fought hard in last couple of innings in Barbados. But this is the best from him. One his best in his career. #WIvENG pic.twitter.com/NucQGrt5Fz

— Kaushik (@CricKaushik_) March 25, 2022

The highest score of the match so far 👏

West Indies wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva has given his side a first-innings lead.#WTC23 | #WIvENG | https://t.co/8vvmZqjLhP pic.twitter.com/1ZuUA1dI6o

— ICC (@ICC) March 25, 2022

All i want now is a Joshua Da Silva ton! 🤞🕯️ #WIvENG

— EEMS #CWC22 (@NaeemahBenjamin) March 19, 2022

We have to salute Joshua Da Silva, he can play attacking cricket if he wants to (2019 Super 50, CPL), but in the Test arena has chosen to apply the virtues of patience

— Caribbean Cricket Podcast (@CaribCricket) March 25, 2022

Good stuff from Joshua Da Silva, who has turned 95 for 6 into a first-innings lead for West Indies.

— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) March 25, 2022

Why does Joshua da Silva plays at 8?Send him up..got good defence though in this team after Bonner & Brathwaite. 🤌#Cricket #WIvENG

— Biswajit Das (@dasbiswajit421) March 25, 2022

The crowd erupts. The drums are onn. West Indies takes the Lead.

A bit chit chat between Stokes ans Joshua Da Silva.

Joshua must be already furious behind Italy defeat and knockout from the Fifa World Cup. Anything more must not be a good ide here 🙃

— Kaushik (@CricKaushik_) March 25, 2022

1/ #crickettwitter Joshua Da Silva has played bloody well. He debuted on Dec 11 2020. Right now, that's 14 Tests, 25 innings, 29.70 average, four half centuries.

Shall we compare that to England's keeping situation since Dec 11 2020? Oh, go on then. Day 7 of Covid & I need fun.

— Andy (@Amysterypenguin) March 25, 2022

Joshua Da Silva should be WI no.3 and should play as a batsman . WI wasting his potential batting him at 7 & 8 .

— Astrologer PunSter- 189 🏏 (@SloggSweep) March 25, 2022

That debut 50 in NZ. Another one in Bangladesh. And now this vs ENG.

Yet to get a century but few lovely half centuries from Joshua Da Silva in his career so far. Each came in important session of play. #WIvENG

— Kaushik (@CricKaushik_) March 25, 2022