On Day 1 of the 3rd Test match at Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Indies faced a challenging start after being bowled out for 282 runs. Despite a resilient 61-run innings from Kraigg Brathwaite, who scored his half-century off 70 balls and hit 8 fours, West Indies struggled against England’s disciplined bowling attack. Gus Atkinson was particularly impressive, claiming four wickets, while Chris Woakes added three to his tally. West Indies initially looked strong, with Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis managing to negotiate the opening overs, but their innings faltered as England’s bowlers tightened their grip.

West Indies top order collapse

England capitalized on their bowling prowess, dismissing West Indies for 282 runs. After a solid start by Brathwaite and Louis, the West Indies innings unraveled quickly. England’s bowlers, led by Atkinson and Woakes, dismantled the middle and lower order. Following Brathwaite’s dismissal for 61, the West Indies collapsed from 76/0 to 115/5, with rapid wickets falling post-lunch. Woakes and Atkinson were instrumental in this collapse, causing West Indies to lose five wickets quickly, limiting their first-innings total.

Jason Holder and Joshua da Silva rescue West Indies

Jason Holder and Joshua Da Silva provided a much-needed rescue act for the West Indies, constructing a crucial unbroken 79-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Both players demonstrated resilience and maturity, with Holder scoring 59 and Da Silva contributing 49. Their efforts helped West Indies recover from a precarious position of 97/3 to a more respectable 194/5 by tea. Their partnership was key in stabilizing the innings and ensuring West Indies set a competitive total. However once both batters dismissed, the tailenders could not nothing much as the visitors were wrapped up under 300.

Also WATCH: ENG vs WI : Mark Wood’s cleans up Kirk McKenzie with an absolute peach on Day 1 of the 3rd Test

England’s response stalled by West Indies’ early breakthroughs

England’s reply began with difficulties as they lost three early wickets in their pursuit of West Indies’ total. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett fell to Jayden Seales and Alzarri Joseph respectively, with Duckett’s dismissal coming via an inside edge onto his own stumps. Mark Wood, who was promoted as a nightwatchman, was caught by Seales in the slips. England ended the day at 38/3, with Ollie Pope and Joe Root tasked with navigating a tricky period before stumps, leaving the match delicately poised.

Here’s how Fans reacted:

Also READ: Ian Bishop’s morale boosting message to the young West Indies squad following the Test series loss against England