Windies vs England 2019: 3rd Test - Visitors Put Their Noses in Front

England has put their noses in front in the third and final Test match against the Windies. The visitors lead by a gargantuan margin of 448 runs after a fine hundred from their captain Joe Root. The tourists had already enjoyed a healthy lead of 133 after skittling out the hosts for paltry 154 runs in the first essay. Subsequently, England added 306 runs on the third day’s play to dominate the match.

In fact, England didn’t get off to good start when they lost the wicket of their opener, Rory Burns, early. Burns was dismissed by Keemo Paul after scoring 10 runs. However, Keaton Jennings and Joe Denly added an alliance of 54 runs before the southpaw opener was bowled by Alzarri Joseph for 23 runs after facing 99 balls.

Joe Root scores his 16th Test century.

On the other hand, Joe Denly played with aplomb as he scored 69 runs from 99 balls. Denly’s knock was laced with 11 fours as he brought out his best. The two Joe’s (Root and Denly) added 74 runs for the third wicket partnership before Denly was dismissed by Shannon Gabriel.

In fact, Shannon Gabriel received a warning from on-field umpires for using abusive language. Meanwhile, after Denly’s dismissal, Root was given good support by Jos Buttler. The combative right-hander had scored a fine fifty in the first innings and backed it with another good knock.

Both the right-handers added an alliance of 107 runs to put the Windies behind the eighth ball. Buttler was dismissed on 56 but Root carried on to score a brilliant hundred. This was England’s captain 16th Test hundred as the right-hander batted at the top of his game. Root scored nine fours in his fine innings as he scored most of his runs while running between the wickets.

Ben Stokes remained unbeaten on 29 runs to provide support to his skipper. Thus, England has a tight grip on the third and final Test match. However, the hosts have already clinched the three-match series as they are leading by 2-0.

Brief Scores:

1st Innings:

England – 274-all-out (Ben Stokes 79, Buttler 67, Roach 4/48)

Windies – 154-all-out (Campbell 41, Mark Wood 5/41, Moeen Ali 4/36)

2nd Innings:

England: 325-4, Joe Root: 111, Keemo Paul: 1-11.