HomeSportsCricketAtkinson, Wood hit back after dogged opening stand

Atkinson, Wood hit back after dogged opening stand

Lunch West Indies 97 for 3 (Brathwaite 56*, Atkinson 2-40, Wood 1-19) vs England

Three wickets for England blotted a resolute start by West Indies, led by Kraigg Brathwaite‘s half-century on the opening day of their third and final Test at Edgbaston.

Brathwaite was unbeaten on 56 at lunch, having shared a 76-run opening partnership with Mikyle Louis, who faced 61 balls for his 26.

Louis took 22 balls to get off the mark, striking Gus Atkinson through cover-point and running two. After the first hour, West Indies were 49 without loss, having won the toss, Louis on 14 and Brathwaite 35.

Louis struck two fours in as many Atkinson overs after the drinks break, one a firm punch through mid-on and the second, top-edging a short ball somewhat fortuitously over the slips from a half-hearted pull.

Meanwhile, Brathwaite was steadily building his innings. He moved to 49 guiding a full Ben Stokes delivery past point and brought up his half-century next ball, a back of a length delivery which he worked behind square. It was his first Test fifty in nine Test innings since July last year.

Atkinson finally made the breakthrough, drawing an edge with a short ball that was moving away as Louis prodded behind with Jamie Smith doing the rest. For the fifth time in as many Tests innings in his fledgling career, Louis reached double figures but he is yet to pass the 27 he made on debut in the first match of this series at Lord’s.

Wood’s pace wasn’t quite what it was at Trent Bridge but it caused West Indies enough problems.

Brathwaite was left doubled up after a nasty knock to the box by a short ball then, after Kirk McKenzie had struck three boundaries in four Atkinson deliveries, Wood removed him for 12 in his next over, flattening his middle stump with a 91mph yorker.

Atkinson grabbed his second wicket on the stroke of lunch as Alick Athanaze bottom-edged a short ball which stayed low onto his off stump.

Valkerie Baynes is a general editor, women’s cricket, at ESPNcricinfo

Content Source: www.espncricinfo.com

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