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West Indies ended the first day of the third Test at Edgbaston with England virtually even, thanks to bursts of fighting spirit. The tourists’ task now is to convert the glimmer of optimism they’ve had since the beginning of the second Test into moments that can win the match.
Despite some superb bowling by Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes, a subpar first innings 282 seemed to be led by fifty-score runs from Kraigg Brathwaite and Jason Holder. However, Jayden Seales levelled the score late in the day after taking two of the three England wickets to fall.
Memories of their defeat at Lord’s were briefly obliterated by West Indies’ valiant opening innings at Trent Bridge, when they edged out England. However, their collapse in the second innings of the second Test consigned all of their good work to hope for the future, and a large portion of the opening day of play in the third Test felt like miniature copies of that tale.
A collapse of 5 for 39 in 7.2 overs was preceded by a 76-run opening stand between Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis. Then there was the 109-run partnership between Holder and Joshua Da Silva at the sixth wicket, which was undone by Woakes and Atkinson regaining the swing that had vanished for a portion of the day.
There was a twist, though, as the home team finished on 38 for 3, trailing 244 runs, when both England openers were out with consecutive balls and nightwatcher Mark Wood was also removed.
After Zak Crawley had spilt a return catch off Ben Duckett in the previous over, Seales had him out edging to Holder with his 12th ball, then with the opening ball of his following over, Alzarri Joseph had him out chopping onto his stumps. After giving England enough to consider over the course of the night, Wood trailed behind, edging Seales to Holder at second slip.