Day 1 of the final Test vs. the West Indies and England may have turned their first innings around. Adding 136 runs for the fourth wicket, Ollie Pope (91no) and Jos Buttler (56no) guided the home side to 258-4 at the close. The runs scored by Ollie and Jos allowed England to exert some control over the Test. While 258-4 is a foothold, England expects more from this pair tomorrow.
With the series currently tied, this Test is a must win for England and the weather is not promising. Taking these variables into account, England left out Zak Crawley and played an extra bowler at Emirates Old Trafford.
West Indies won the toss. England were asked to bat.
Joe Root moved up the order to three. England were 1-1 and in trouble, when Joe came out to bat. He survived an early shout for LBW. After scoring 17 runs, Joe and Rory Burns took what appeared to be risky single. A direct hit brushed and then dislodged the bail. Joe was short of his ground, England were reduced to 47-2.
Ben Stokes is in the form of his life, but this time he could not rescue England. Ben (20) left a gap between bat and pad, the ball, from Kemar Roach, thumped into his middle stump.
Burns (57) was out with the score on 122. Jos came out to join Pope, who was starting to put together a very classy, if not risk free, innings. Taking his time and supporting his partner, Jos took 104 balls to reach his 50. Even so, on a couple of occasions he opened his shoulders to send the ball over the boundary into the empty seating.
With four overs remaining the players came off for bad light. Tomorrow England will expect much of the same from Jos and Ollie.
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