Brathwaite marathon keeps hosts in the fight

WEST INDIES captain Kraigg Brathwaite batted resolutely to lead his side’s charge, as the host were dismissed for 411 runs in their first innings, replying to England’s 507 for nine declared on the fourth day of the second Test in Barbados.

When stumps were drawn, the visitors closed on 40 without loss, an overall lead of 136 runs with just today’s final day of play remaining.

After the home side resumed on 288 for four with Brathwaite on 109, the right-handed Bajan once again got stuck in on the docile Kensington Oval pitch to thwart any progression by England, batting for 11 and a half hours and facing 489 deliveries for his 160.

CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONALISM

They say patience is a virtue, and virtuous indeed was Brathwaite, who anchored the West Indies batting reply with consummate professionalism.

He added 52 runs for the fifth wicket with nightwatchman Alzarri Joseph, who added 15 runs to his overnight score before he fell to Ben Stokes.

Jason Holder tried to stick around with his skipper but, when on 12, he handed Saqib Mahmood his first Test wicket with the score on 351 for six.

After adding 34 runs with wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva and hitting 17 fours in his marathon innings, Brathwaite would finally be undone by the probing Jack Leach, who got one to spin and clip the off stump to end the lengthy knock from the hometown boy.

The West Indies would add 26 more runs following Brathwaite’s wicket, as the innings was wrapped up when Leach trapped Da Silva in front for 33 to finish with figures of three for 118 off 69.5 overs, inclusive of 27 maidens.

With a healthy lead of 96 runs, England pushed on with openers Zack Crawley and Alex Lees looking purposeful.

The pair would eventually get to 40 without loss after 15 overs, with Crawley unbeaten on 21 and Lees not out on 18 for an overall lead of 136.