Jamie Smith’s dazzling 95 helped England seize control of the third Test against West Indies on a compelling second day at Edgbaston.
Smith’s aggressive knock, off 109 balls, included 12 fours and one six as England resolutely compiled 376 in response to West Indies’ first-innings total of 282.
West Indies lost skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and Kirk McKenzie cheaply in the final hour of the day as they reached stumps on 33-2 – 61 runs behind England.
The tourists had earlier made an electric start in the morning session after they quickly captured the wickets of Ollie Pope and Harry Brook to leave England reeling at 54-5.
Calm heads were needed and England’s two most experienced batters – Joe Root and skipper Ben Stokes (54) – duly delivered a composed 115-run stand for the sixth wicket to spearhead the fightback.
Wicketkeeper Smith upped the ante as he and Chris Woakes (62) firmly wrestled the initiative in England’s favour with some fluent strokeplay, cheered on by a raucous crowd.
England’s day would have been even better had Stokes not dropped a simple catch to dismiss West Indies opener Mikyle Louis, who will resume on day three with Alick Athanaze. (BBC)
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