Bairstow century spoils good day for West Indies bowlers

THE OPENING session on the opening day of the first Test between the West Indies and England belonged to the hosts. However, a fine unbeaten century from Jonny Bairstow saw England claw their way back into the contest in Antigua.

England will resume today’s second day on 268 for six, with Bairstow to continue on his 109, with all-rounder Chris Woakes set to resume on 24.

Bairstow, who hit 17 fours in his 216-ball knock, was the mainstay of the England innings, sharing in three crucial partnerships which saw the visitors put up a respectable total on day one.

First, he shared in a 67-run fifth-wicket stand with Ben Stokes, who made 36, before the latter was bowled by Jayden Seales.

The right-handed Bairstow then put on another valuable 99 runs with wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, who looked good for his 42, before he was trapped in front by Jason Holder.

An unbeaten 54-run seventh-wicket partnership between Bairstow and Woakes then made the comeback all the more delightful for England.

SHELL-SHOCKED

Electing to bat, England looked shellshocked from their Ashes demolition and in no time were under the cosh at 48 for four.

Veteran seamer Kemar Roach started the onslaught when he had debutant opener Alex Lees trapped in front for four, with just 12 runs on the board.

Five runs later, Jayden Seales got in on the act, as he induced an inside edge from Zak Crawley who was snapped up brilliantly by wicketkeeper Joshua DaSilva for eight.

Before a ball was even bowled in the series, head coach Phil Simmons said that the wicket of England captain Joe Root would be critical, and it was his trump card, Roach, who came up with the big fish to further sink the visitors.

After seeing Jermaine Blackwood put down a sharp chance at slip, Roach produced a beauty that nipped back and hit the top of the England captain’s off stump to leave the visitors, 27 for three and Root headed back to the pavilion for 13.

Former captain Jason Holder would eventually add a wicket to his economical spell just before lunch when Dan Lawrence edged to Blackwood in the slip for 20.

Holder has so far taken two for 15 with Roach picking up two for 71 and Seales two for 64.