Ollie Pope and Jos Buttler lead England's recovery against West Indies at Old Trafford
Nick Hoult
·40 min read
Jos Buttler of England(R) celebrates after reaching his half century with Ollie Pope of England during Day One of the Ruth Strauss Foundation Test - GETTY IMAGES
Ollie Pope’s first major Test innings on home soil steered England into a strong position to control this series decider and provided further evidence of the team’s growing maturity with the bat.
England were rallied by two batsmen who had been bit-part players in this series until Friday with Pope and Jos Buttler combining for 136 for the fifth wicket, battling their side into the ascendancy just as West Indies sensed an opening.
They turned a wobbly 122 for four into a more solid 258, controlling the game after tea in what could turn out to be a crucial session for the series result. England have crumbled in previous summers in such situations, but West Indies allowed the partnership to flower, lacking the energy to punch through the last pairing of accomplished batsmen, with Chris Woakes coming in next.
Pope is nine short of his second Test hundred, his first in England, and Buttler strengthened his place in the side with his first half-century since he made 70 in the last Ashes Test of 2019, feeding off his partner’s youthful energy.
Sir Andrew Strauss raised £282,385 on the Red for Ruth Day to help fund the work done by the charity he set up in his late wife’s memory and Pope’s batting helped to make the occasion in an empty ground. He did not exactly look a million dollars, but it was a valuable enough contribution for England.
Former England player Andrew Strauss rings the ball on Ruth Strauss Foundation day at the start of the play of the first day of the third cricket Test match between England and West Indies at Old Trafford - GETTY POOL VIA AP
He was scratchy at first, scoring boundaries off edges over slips and was clocked on the head attempting to hook a Shannon Gabriel bouncer. He was nearly caught off a leading edge when he made a mess of a pull, and was fortunate to be umpire’s call for an lbw on 43.
But he played some glorious strokes, running superbly as well as he oozed positive intent; firstly combining with Rory Burns and then Buttler to make the most of his opportunity to bat at five.
He was nimble-footed against the spinners and scored all around the ground when facing pace, pulling Gabriel in front of square for four and late-cutting Kemar Roach in his 11 boundaries.
Pope started to fulfil his promise last winter at six with a maiden Test hundred in Port Elizabeth, proving himself against the 90mph pace of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. He looked classy making 12 in his first innings of the series, if that does not sound too incongruous for such a low score, but since then two more scores of 12 and a seven left him realising the series was drifting him by.
“When he bats he is very calm but he has a fire in his eyes,” Joe Root told this newspaper at the end of that series and Pope is reminiscent of his captain when he first started in the England side. He is a natural run-scorer who can make batting seem easy when he reaches full flow and, like all good players, is mentally tougher than he looks.
Whereas Pope is at an age, and point in his career, when everything tends to come easily, Buttler is in a very different place. He may never make a Test batsman, but this was a gutsy innings for he knew the significance. A poor Test here with some iffy shots, and a defeat for England, would probably spell the end.
He played a big drive at his first ball, almost yorking himself, but he calmed down and took 38 balls to reach double figures and had 18 off 54 before really showing his intent by swinging Rahkeem Cornwall into the stands for six twice in one over.
Ollie Pope plays a cover drive - AFP
He paced his innings as England added 74 in the hour after tea against tiring bowlers. In total they made a crucial 115 between the afternoon break and before the second new ball as Buttler passed his half-century with seven fours.
When he reached the landmark, Root was off his feet applauding. Buttler is such an important pillar of support for Root, he is always consulting him on bowling changes and tactics. He desperately wants him around when they go to Australia in 18 months' time.
At 246 for four with the floodlights on, the second new ball was crucial but the umpires were overly fussy, stopping play for bad light after just three overs meaning England can restart on Saturday morning.
Cornwall’s gigantic presence was always going to bring attention offspinners rarely attract but England played him well and his only real contribution was a sharp, reflex one-handed catch at first slip.
West Indies picked two offspinners but then bucked logic by bowling first. England have to win to regain the Wisden Trophy, before it is retired after this series, so opted for five bowlers, dropping Zak Crawley and bumping the others up by one to make up for injury confining Ben Stokes to a batting role.
England's Ben Stokes is bowled out by West Indies' Kemar Roach during the first day of the third cricket Test match between England and West Indies at Old Trafford in Manchester - PA POOL
A week ago, Dom Sibley batted for 372 balls. This time he lasted five, plumb leg before to Roach for a duck.
The 'Root batting at three' debate has raged since before the days of Brexit and he again failed here, run out by a direct throw from Chase when he called for a single to third-man from the non-striker’s end.
West Indies bowled well in the first two sessions, unsettling England with the short ball with Cornwall allowing the quicks to rotate at the other end. Roach was the best, while Gabriel somehow rallied himself from going off with a hamstring injury to last the day.
Stokes took one on the helmet from Roach and top-edged another pull. Perhaps the short ball played on his mind when he was bowled through a big gap between bat and pad for 20. Burns has a big score looming, again getting in and looking secure. He made a neat 57 but played a poor shot, falling to Chase’s non turning offspin for the fourth time in 40 balls, Cornwall taking a sharp catch to his right that an athlete such as Stokes would have been proud of.
05:40 PM
Ollie Pope reflects on a busy day
Ollie Pope joins us to reflect on his 91no on day one of the #RedforRuth Test... more reaction on Sky Sports Cricket now.
OVER 85.4: ENG 258/4 (Buttler 56 Pope 91) - OFF FOR BAD LIGHT, STUMPS
That's the one, decent delivery from Gabriel.
Bad news - we might be coming off for bad light. The meter is out... we are indeed coming off with two balls left in Gabriel's over. Pope may be stuck in the 90s overnight. Very good partnership, West Indies losing their way a bit.
We're past the 6pm deadline to return so that's the day's play wrapped up - England have recovered well after a shaky start, when the West Indies must have been buoyant with England three down, Sibley gone for a duck and Root run out.
All eyes on Pope in the morning.
Our columnist's thoughts...
When is Test Cricket going to learn !!! BAD LIGHT .... #MyArse
Two runs for Pope who then hits one on the up that could easily have been caught at cover but drops short.
Very nice drive from Pope to take him into the 90s, down towards mid on.
05:06 PM
OVER 84: ENG 252/4 (Buttler 56 Pope 85)
I know he's struggling physically, but I reckon Gabriel's got something up his sleeve here with this new ball. A breakthrough tonight would be huge.
Maiden.
05:02 PM
OVER 83: ENG 252/4 (Buttler 56 Pope 85)
Edged but it goes through the gap for four to third man! Buttler survives. New ball working. That's 250 for England after an earlier Pope single.
Brathwaite at mid on does well to get across to block off a single, but Buttler does add a run to keep the strike.
04:57 PM
OVER 82: ENG 246/4 (Buttler 51 Pope 84)
Buttler looking for his half century with a nudge square, but no run there.
There's his 50, pushed through the covers for two. Needed a top innings and he's delivered one so far. 51* off 104 balls with two fours and one six too. His 16th Test fifty in 44 matches.
Jos Buttler of England plays a shot - GETTY IMAGES
Second new ball taken by the West Indies. Roach, you're up.
04:54 PM
OVER 81: ENG 244/4 (Buttler 49 Pope 84)
Singles from Pope and Buttler, as the latter moves onto 49.
Holder was off the field but now returns. No new ball yet.
04:51 PM
OVER 80: ENG 242/4 (Buttler 48 Pope 83)
New ball available from the next over.
Buttler chops a single square. Closing in on that 50. Pope down the ground, four! Driven past mid off. Superb.
Pope's footwork v spin is balletic. So quick to come down or push back. It's encouraging that's he's come down the track 30 times in Tests & never hit a boundary from those balls. Instead he's scored off 50% of them. Aggressive footwork, proactive shot-selection. #ENGvWI
Pope waits, rocks back on his heels and strokes the ball behind to fine leg for four runs after the fielders misses it with his foot! Oh dear.
Singles for both batsmen, Buttler retains the strike.
04:45 PM
OVER 78: ENG 230/4 (Buttler 46 Pope 73)
England's run rate going well, 2.91, with three singles off the over before Buttler beats the fielder at silly mid off and it gets to the rope.
Jos Buttler's attacking execution has been excellent. He's attacked 18 deliveries, and only three have brought a false shot - that's the best ratio of any batsman on show today. #ENGvWI
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) July 24, 2020
04:42 PM
OVER 77: ENG 223/4 (Buttler 40 Pope 72)
Shout off the first ball, was turning in, perhaps missing right? It'll be reviewed.
Fair delivery, no bat, caught the right edge of Pope's front pad. Pitching and impact all good but it's missing to the right, so review lost. Worth a shout, he was quite far down though.
Three singles off the over.
04:40 PM
OVER 76: ENG 220/4 (Buttler 39 Pope 70)
We're in a new ball waiting game here, it feels like.
That's a fine shot though by Buttler, gets under it and lands it in the gap between the covers for four. Single for Pope as well.
04:35 PM
OVER 75: ENG 215/4 (Buttler 35 Pope 69)
Quick maiden for Cornwall. And that's about it.
04:33 PM
OVER 74: ENG 215/4 (Buttler 35 Pope 69)
Single for Buttler. Lights now on but it seems fairly bright anyway. Pope down the ground and chips a single to mid on.
One more from Buttler to backward point.
04:30 PM
OVER 73: ENG 212/4 (Buttler 33 Pope 68)
Big shout. Spin from both ends, Cornwall on as well, inside edge onto pad maybe? Time runs out on the review. Replay shows the edge, wise from Holder. Two singles.
04:27 PM
OVER 72: ENG 210/4 (Buttler 32 Pope 67)
Back comes Chase, who is 1-1 so far with a maiden from his two overs.
And that's another maiden. Good spin and bounce. He's a threat for sure.
Jos Buttler has looked to take on the spinners today. He's attacked 40% of the balls faced from spin, and just 17% from pace. Small sample size, but he looked comfortable against Cornwall. #ENGvWI
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) July 24, 2020
04:24 PM
OVER 71: ENG 210/4 (Buttler 32 Pope 67)
Single for Buttler and then runs for Pope, three of them, good running and he pushed it past extra cover. Buttler keeps strike with another single.
04:17 PM
OVER 70: ENG 205/4 (Buttler 30 Pope 64)
Field notably spread out a bit wider now as Cornwall comes back to face Buttler.
Better over though, a maiden for Cornwall in his 16th over. Time for a drinks break.
04:14 PM
OVER 69: ENG 205/4 (Buttler 30 Pope 64)
Partnership's going well, exactly what England needed, making Holder think a bit about his tactics.
Just a single off the over for Pope.
04:11 PM
OVER 68: ENG 204/4 (Buttler 30 Pope 63)
Pope single. Windies keen for the new ball, as Buttler cracks a six (!) over midwicket. Made that look as easy as making a cup of tea.
And another! Expensive over for Cornwall with the ball getting cracked again by Buttler over long on.
England's Jos Buttler hits a six off the bowling of West Indies' Rahkeem Cornwall - AFP
04:07 PM
OVER 67: ENG 191/4 (Buttler 18 Pope 62)
Steady over this from Holder. There's a bit of cloud cover but not seeing much swing. Single off Pope to point, who then gestures for something for the dressing room, pointing to his head. Mark Wood, blue gloves on, is ready to attend the scene.
04:03 PM
OVER 66: ENG 190/4 (Buttler 18 Pope 61)
Time for more Cornwall, who comes back in on 0-44. Surprised they've not given Chase more of a go.
Cornwall rattles through his over, mid on cutting off one run before England run quickly for a single after a shot down the ground by Pope to keep the strike.
03:59 PM
OVER 65: ENG 189/4 (Buttler 18 Pope 60)
Flicked square by Buttler off his pads and he'll get three. Nice delivery by Holder off the next ball though, nipping back in, Pope watches it go. Turned for a single out to long leg by Pope, into the 60s.
Last delivery is a no ball, Holder stepping over the line.
03:54 PM
OVER 64: ENG 184/4 (Buttler 15 Pope 59)
Good-timed shot from Buttler, between point and cover for three runs. Bit wide and Pope then slashes at it for four to third man. No lack of runs now. Wide again by Gabriel and Pope cracks that through the covers for another boundary.
Ollie Pope averages 124 with the cut shot against seamers in first-class cricket, scoring at 11.3rpo. It's his highest averaging shot. #ENGvWI
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) July 24, 2020
03:48 PM
OVER 63: ENG 173/4 (Buttler 12 Pope 51)
Leg bye off Buttler to get Pope back on strike. And Pope responds by clattering four past point to bring up his 50! Cracking shot. Six fours in that knock so far.
England's Ollie Pope plays a shot - AFP
03:44 PM
OVER 62: ENG 168/4 (Buttler 12 Pope 47)
Pope's starting to motor, open face of the bat, good hands, sends it for four past mid on. Gabriel appeals the next delivery but looks high. West Indies review! Huh. Given not out, might end up being umpire's call.
Fair delivery, it's hitting the top of his left pad, no bat involved. Ball tracking says umpire's call indeed. Windies retain their review.
Pulled hard by Pope past square for four! Lovely shot. Took it early.
03:37 PM
OVER 61: ENG 160/4 (Buttler 12 Pope 39)
Roach going for four runs off the first two balls, three for Pope, clipped near deep square leg. Single for Buttler too.
Then Pope gives that a great wallop for four, cut away in the area of backward point. Single for Pope makes it nine off the over. Runs flowing.
03:33 PM
OVER 60: ENG 151/4 (Buttler 11 Pope 31)
Pope so nearly out again! Inexplicably skies one, Roston Chase chasing (sorry) after it towards midwicket, full dive, can't get under it. Pope very lucky twice now so far in this session. Pope almost trying the pull shot but got it all wrong.
Buttler with a fine edge on the swivel adds four runs to fine leg. Not the best ball. That's England's 150. Buttler adds a single.
Roston Chase of West Indies dives in vain for the attempted wicket of Ollie Pope - getty images
03:27 PM
OVER 59: ENG 145/4 (Buttler 7 Pope 30)
Dowrich can't catch a break. He's standing way back, misses a delivery completely off his finger tips and it goes for three byes to third man.
Alec Stewart has been on to Sky about it. His advice? 'Take the ball between knee and waist height'. Seems obvious.
03:23 PM
OVER 58: ENG 142/4 (Buttler 7 Pope 30)
Looked set to be a maiden off Holder before Buttler punches a four down the ground past mid off. That's his first boundary.
03:18 PM
OVER 57: ENG 138/4 (Buttler 3 Pope 30)
Play and a miss from Pope. Started this session a little dangerously. Then he flashes at one and it shoots through a gap past the cordon for four. Roach smiles. More of those will lead to trouble.
03:14 PM
OVER 56: ENG 134/4 (Buttler 3 Pope 26)
Four leaves and then Buttler has a shot blocked at square leg, before defending the last back down the wicket. Maiden.
Cautious stuff from Jos Buttler. Only once in his Test career has he reached 25 balls faced with fewer runs than the 3 he's managed so far. #ENGvWI
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) July 24, 2020
03:10 PM
OVER 55: ENG 134/4 (Buttler 3 Pope 26)
Roach from the other end and his first ball dies a bit, two bounces before it gets to Dowrich who loses track of it. Holder rubs his head, trying to give him a boost.
Nice pull from Buttler, just a single to square leg. Big edge from Pope but drops short of slip! Blimey. Thick one but dropped in front of Holder. Pope responds with a flick off the pads square for two.
03:06 PM
OVER 54: ENG 131/4 (Buttler 2 Pope 24)
Maiden from Holder. Got a good sense in that over for how lively Pope is at the crease, blocking well.
Here's how he has built his innings so far.
Ollie Pope's been busy against the seamers, but he's been respectful outside off stump. Everything in that channel has been left or defended - but almost everywhere else there's been an inclination to score. #ENGvWIpic.twitter.com/xTpb3BWMDg
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) July 24, 2020
People will always have their views and whatever. I just have to know what I have to do and what's required for me to be on the international scene so I just have to do it to the best of my ability.
02:44 PM
OVER 53: ENG 131/4 (Buttler 2 Pope 24) - TEA
Pope does well to steer one away nipping back in for a single. Padded into the deck by Buttler who then swaps singles with Pope.
And that's tea! Good session for the West Indies, with England four down and these two being the last two recognised batsman. Instant impact from Chase, taking Burns' wicket once again after the opener had reached 50.
Feels like England are about to ask a lot of Chris Woakes, whose average in Tests is 26.15 - just like Buttler, his best score came against India in that 2018 series, scoring 137 not out. From there, it's a long tail.
West Indies players celebrate the dismissal of England's Rory Burns - GETTY IMAGES
Thoughts? Whack them in the comments or email ben.coles@telegraph.co.uk
02:38 PM
OVER 52: ENG 128/4 (Buttler 1 Pope 22)
An absolute disaster avoided as Pope just about gets home running for a single. Nice defensive shot from Buttler. And another. Building his confidence up.
02:34 PM
OVER 51: ENG 127/4 (Buttler 1 Pope 21)
Buttler off the mark. Pope then flashes at one unnecessarily, tempting trouble, fumbled through by Dowrich.
Pope pushes a single into the off side.
(See Over 50)...India in 2018 at Nottingham, that's right! 106 that day. His next best score after that was 89 in the same series at The Oval.
02:29 PM
OVER 50: ENG 125/4 (Buttler 0 Pope 20)
Couple of runs for Pope into the off side. Buttler can do this, can't he? Just the one Test hundred which came against... (details in next over)
02:24 PM
OVER 49: ENG 123/4 (Buttler 0 Pope 18)
No Zak Crawley in the battling line-up today. After this it's Woakes and not a whole lot. Plenty riding on this partnership, as Pope adds a single. Couple of solid blocks from Buttler.
This on Burns is, well, not good.
Rory Burns v Roston Chase: 15 runs, four wickets, average of 3.75
Since 2000, there is no worse H2H average for an England opener, dismissed by the same bowler four times. #ENGvWI
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) July 24, 2020
02:20 PM
OVER 48: ENG 122/4 (Buttler 0 Pope 17)
Heaps of pressure on Buttler now, even with that 40 the other day in the first innings.
Really was a sharp grab by Cornwall, one-handed, coming at him quickly.
WICKET! 💥
Great grab from Cornwall at slip after Burns (57) cuts Chase towards him - England 122-4 🏴🏝️#RedForRuth#raisethebat #️⃣
Third man comes in to limit a Burns pull shot to a single. Pope adds another to the off side. Run by run, bit by bit, seems to be the mantra for this session.
Since Ollie Pope debuted in Test cricket, 14 England players have batted as often as him - only Ben Stokes has a higher batting average. #ENGvWI
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) July 24, 2020
02:09 PM
OVER 46: ENG 120/3 (Burns 56 Pope 17)
Burns tries a cut, blocked by the man at gully, no run. Pope however did get a single.
02:06 PM
OVER 45: ENG 119/3 (Burns 56 Pope 16)
Pope cuts two and sees one fly straight through him, bit of late movement, and then adds a single. Decent enough start from the young man.
02:00 PM
OVER 44: ENG 114/3 (Burns 54 Pope 13)
First ball from Cornwall, not a lot of turn and Pope pounces, sending that one past mid-on. Gabriel was giving chase but that doesn't seem like a good idea given his injury concerns.
Gabriel moves in the field but Pope finds him with a single, funnily enough. Five from the over.
01:58 PM
OVER 43: ENG 109/3 (Burns 54 Pope 8)
Quickly-run single for Pope and that's all from Gabriel's latest over. Run rate currently is 2.17.
01:53 PM
OVER 42: ENG 108/3 (Burns 54 Pope 7)
That's a little loose from Cornwall, easily cut away by Burns for four. Better throughout the rest of the over.
Promise I'm not jinxing him, it's purely for reference, but Burns' last hundred came in November against New Zealand in Hamilton, when he was run out on 101.
01:47 PM
OVER 41: ENG 104/3 (Burns 50 Pope 7)
Good afternoon everybody.
In I come for the glory, as Burns glances a Gabriel delivery to fine leg to bring up his 50. That's his seventh in Tests for England and it's been a very handy knock in settling things down for the hosts.
Half century for Rory Burns, who's played nicely. He's dominated in his strong zones square of the wicket, and has only scored one run in the V down the ground. #ENGvWIpic.twitter.com/ZB1Zrzqswb
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) July 24, 2020
01:42 PM
Over 40: ENG 103/3 (Burns 49 Pope 7)
Pope dances down and swings Cornwall for three towards the mid-wicket boundary to bring his team into three figures... then England get lucky.
Burns pushes into the off-side and calls Pope through. Chase circles, looking for his second run out of the day, and is flummoxed by a wild bounce off one of the other squares.
Shannon Gabriel is on, and so is Ben Coles. Enjoy the rest of the day.
01:38 PM
Over 39: ENG 99/3 (Burns 48 Pope 4)
Roach whacks Pope on the helmet, now! It looked like the 22 year-old was too early on that pull shot. He's OK, and passes a quick concussion test at the non-striker's end after running through for a leg bye.
Burns drives into the covers to no avail but picks up two for turning his wrists on the ball. Roach hangs out a wide one that the left-hander thinks about chasing before withdrawing his bat.
01:33 PM
Over 38: ENG 96/3 (Burns 46 Pope 4)
Pope is down the track to Cornwall but blocks it. The bowler pulls his length back, which Pope is equal to.
Off the final delivery, which is quicker and flatter, a late cut brings three. Clever batting.
01:30 PM
Over 37: ENG 93/3 (Burns 46 Pope 1)
Typically busy, Pope flicks a single off his first ball and scurries through to the other end.
Burns is tied down by the remainder of another full over from Roach, who is enjoying a very good day.
We are into a pivotal little passage, then, and West Indies' close fielders are louder.
Cornwall's accuracy brings a maiden to Burns.
01:23 PM
Wicket!!
As I say that Stokes looks comfortable, he is hit in the helmet by a Roach bouncer. West Indies appeal, half-heartedly, as Shane Dowrich pouches the ricochet. Not out.
Following a helmet check, Stokes pulls authoritatively for four. But then he's clean-bowled! Roach readjusted with a much fuller delivery and beats Stokes between bat and pad.
Stokes b Roach 20 FoW England 92/3
01:18 PM
Battling on
REUTERS - REUTERS
Stokes seems comfortable enough out there. He is not pushing for twos as aggressively as he did last week... if at all. In fact, his running between the wickets has been noticeably sedate. Still, he's timing the ball nicely.
01:14 PM
Over 34: ENG 88/2 (Burns 46 Stokes 16)
Burns is moving his feet well now and drops deep in his crease to push Cornwall through mid-wicket. Stokes follows suit immediately, rotating the strike.
01:12 PM
Over 33: ENG 86/2 (Burns 45 Stokes 15)
Two from Roach's over, one an easy guide through mid-wicket from Stokes and the other a whip down to fine leg from Burns.
Rahkeem Cornwall will return now.
01:09 PM
Over 32: ENG 84/2 (Burns 44 Stokes 14)
Stokes punches two through the off side and then drops his hands on a pat - rather than a pull - out to deep backward square.
That man is up for Burns, so England add three more when the opener connects with a more conventional pull shot.
Mid-off cannot gather a Stokes push, so there's another single. Seven from the Holder over. He conceded that many runs before lunch.
01:04 PM
Over 31: ENG 77/2 (Burns 41 Stokes 10)
Burns follows a full ball that is shaping out and picks up two through the covers. Slightly squirty and not perfectly timed, but he won't care. Roach bounces him, just to keep him honest.
12:58 PM
Over 30: ENG 75/2 (Burns 39 Stokes 10)
Another chunky inside edge, this time off Holder, brings runs for Stokes. Two of them this time, and he did not look altogether comfortable turning for the second. Those are the only runs from another probing over.
12:54 PM
Over 29: ENG 73/2 (Burns 39 Stokes 8)
Kemar Roach comes around the wicket to Stokes and a chunky inside edge flies down to fine leg for a single.
The bowler remains full to Burns, who jars a drive to mid-on and then plays and misses before negotiating the remainder of the over.
12:49 PM
Over 28: ENG 72/2 (Burns 39 Stokes 7)
After that build-up... Holder starts with a creaky loosener and is steered through point for four by Burns.
Oooh. The third ball is fuller and the batsman looses his shape. He edges, and is relieved to see it bounce a metre in front of Shai Hope at gully.
Burns keeps his composure and punches two through the covers to end the over. Well played.
12:42 PM
Ready to go
Here come the players for the second session. It looks brighter out there and England's batsmen will want to cash in on their hard work this morning.
Jason Holder, excellent in his first spell, will resume.
12:10 PM
Lunch: ENG 66/2 (Burns 33 Stokes 7)
REUTERS - REUTERS
12:08 PM
Over 27: ENG 66/2 (Burns 33 Stokes 7)
Well done, Rory Burns. More zip from Gabriel, who has England's remaining opener bobbing and weaving. A spiteful lifter is then fending through gully for two before Burns keeps the strike for the afternoon session with a leg-side single.
That brings us to lunch. Burns faced 76 deliveries in that session, which represented a challenging couple of hours.
11:59 AM
Over 26: ENG 63/2 (Burns 30 Stokes 7)
Can we get through two overs before lunch? Cornwall does his best, accurately pinning down Stokes until England's talisman comes down the wicket and beats mid-on with a firm drive for four. Lovely shot.
Cornwall finishes with another dot and we will have one more over.
11:56 AM
Over 25: ENG 59/2 (Burns 30 Stokes 3)
Burns plays the ball right under his eyes and - for the third time since the start of his innings - he spins quickly, worried that the bounce could dislodge his bails.
He's still there, and hooks Gabriel down to fine leg. That was slightly loose.
Gabriel, whose recovery has been impressive after an early scare, stays slightly back of a length. After two dots, Stokes fends a nasty lifter to fine leg.
11:52 AM
Over 24: ENG 57/2 (Burns 29 Stokes 2)
A no-fuss maiden from Cornwall to Stokes. As you might expect from a bowler his size, there is some steep bounce around. He will be a real handful in the third innings of this match.
11:50 AM
Over 23: ENG 57/2 (Burns 29 Stokes 2)
Four more byes to start, some post-bat wobble confounding Dowrich.
Gabriel really has some zip back here and West Indies clearly sense that one more wicket would be very significant.
Stokes nibbles at one, which ends up bouncing just short of second slip. He then works a single through mid-wicket to keep the strike.
11:46 AM
Over 22: ENG 52/2 (Burns 29 Stokes 1)
Ben Stokes arrives and works one to the leg side. Burns is sharp enough to drop back and carve four through the covers to take England to fifty.
11:43 AM
Wicket!!
As I mention Burns' contest with Cornwall, it brings a wicket. The Surrey opener steers past slip and there is some hesitation as Roston Chase swoops around from short third man.
It's a brilliant piece of fielding and a direct hit gets rid of Root!
Root run out (Chase) 17 FoW England 47/2
11:41 AM
Burns battles
Getty Images Europe - Getty Images Europe
Burns' contest against Cornwall has been a really interesting feature of the first session.
11:38 AM
Over 21: ENG 47/1 (Burns 25 Root 17)
Gabriel looks OK, but Burns punches two through the covers and then drives nicely to mid-on. It's stopped, and there's a little bit of a mix-up, but they cross for a single.
There is a bit of lift to Root and and an inside edge that bobbles into the leg side brings one... two with an overthrow!
11:35 AM
Over 20: ENG 39/1 (Burns 20 Root 17)
A drive wide of mid-off gives Root a single before Burns sashays towards Cornwall, reaching the pitch and steering three through mid-wicket. It has been touch, but these two are starting to look settled.
Interesting. Here comes Shannon Gabriel.
11:30 AM
Over 19: ENG 38/1 (Burns 19 Root 14)
Root rotates the strike with a glance. They decide against the second and Burns faces the remaining five deliveries. He's beaten twice by the excellent Holder but survives.
11:27 AM
Over 18: Rakheem Cornwall
Root is very nearly clean bowled as he drops back in an attempt to pull. He stays calm, and it's a proactive over for England. Root picks up two with a steered drive off the back foot and laps a sweep for three more.
Burns then drops his hands on the ball to pick up two as well.
11:21 AM
Over 17: Jason Holder
A more assured over for Root, who picks up two with a push past mid-off and then drops the last ball into the off-side and calls Burns through.
Three from the over, making it Holder's most expensive of this miserly spell. Now Root gets a look at Cornwall.
11:18 AM
Over 16: Rahkeem Cornwall
An intriguing tussle between Cornwall and Burns continues. Burns hits the fielder with a cut but then gets slightly fortunate himself, picking up a couple from an outside edge. Crucially, he played with soft hands. They get a couple, the only runs from the over.
11:17 AM
Step and tweak it
Getty Images Europe - Getty Images Europe
A shot of Cornwall's action, here. It looks like he could settle in for a long spell - especially if Gabriel is struggling.
11:14 AM
Over 15: Jason Holder
Six balls, six dots for Holder to Root. Really accurate stuff.
Cornwall deploys a short leg and a slip to Burns, who is away with a glanced couple off the third ball.
The big man has an understated, economical action and gets some turn there! He beats Burns' press off the penultimate delivery. Decent start.
11:07 AM
Over 13: Jason Holder
Holder looks really tricky here. There's a stifled appeal as Root is rapped on the pads. Almost certainly high, maybe sliding down leg as well.
Root and Burns do manage to trade leg-side singles. Again, no more than that. Root now has five runs from 35 balls.
Here comes Rahkeem Cornwall.
10:59 AM
Over 12: Kemar Roach
We have a first boundary, 57 minutes into the day. Burns leans forward to Roach and punches four through cover.
There is another panicky moment shortly afterwards as a forward defensive bounces backwards. Burns spins and makes sure the ball bobbles away from his stumps.
Meanwhile, Shannon Gabriel emerges from the changing room in time for drinks.
10:56 AM
Over 11: Jason Holder
A run off Holder! It's to Burns, via a tuck to fine leg. No more, though. And off the last ball, Root commits to a drive and is well beaten.
10:53 AM
Over 10: Kemar Roach
Root rotates the strike with a steer into the leg side. He needed to take his bottom hand off the bat to do so.
Roach is clearly getting a bit of movement out of this surface. Burns looks anxious as he inside edges a push but the batsmen cross for a single.
10:51 AM
Walking wounded
Getty Images Europe - Getty Images Europe
Gabriel appeared to be holding his right hamstring as he left the field earlier. That's bad news.
10:48 AM
Over 9: Jason Holder
Holder is over the wicket to Burns and really isn't giving much away at all. He's staying close to the stumps with just a little shape across the left-hander. There are four slips and a gully waiting.
Two maidens in a row for Holder.
10:44 AM
Over 8: Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach
Gabriel continues and starts way wide of off stump. He pulls out of his third delivery as well... twice. Yep, he's abandoning his over. That could be a real problem for West Indies as this Test continues. Gabriel has taken his cap and is heading off the field.
Roach will complete the over. He's pulled for a couple by Burns but then readjusts to force a push-and-miss. Burns takes a single through mid-wicket to end an eventful over.
10:39 AM
Over 7: Jason Holder
A sharp start from the West Indies captain. A probing line coaxes a couple of slightly unconvincing, defensive pushes out of Root. Holder chalks up a maiden.
10:35 AM
Over 6: Shannon Gabriel
A bumper from Gabriel, which Burns is nimble enough to avoid. Four more dots follow but then there's a radar issue. Gabriel spears one down the leg-side. Burns holds his bat high and swivels to see Dowrich dive... and miss. Four byes.
Here comes Jason Holder.
10:28 AM
Over 5: Kemar Roach
Root pushes forward and only connects with fresh air, Shane Dowrich collecting. The floodlights are on at Old Trafford and this looks a really tricky period.
A couple of times now, Root has needed to pull away while Roach has been halfway through his approach to the crease. I wonder whether that is disrupting Roach's rhythm a touch. He's down at around 82mph.
It's accurate enough, though. A maiden.
10:24 AM
Over 4: Shannon Gabriel
A hat-trick of leaves from Root outside off. On the fourth ball, he plays - just with a nudge outside off - and is beaten.
We then have an appeal for lbw and a review. Root was pushing forward and was struck on the front pad. Michael Gough said no and I reckon he just got outside the line. He did. Ball-tracking confirms as much and Holder loses a review.
There is a leg bye from the final ball of an excellent Gabriel over.
10:18 AM
Sibley dismissed
This is how Roach got rid of one of West Indies' chief tormentors in the second Test.
Joe Root digs out a yorker to begin his innings and then drives sweetly to short cover before getting off the mark by picking up three through mid-wicket. Burns negotiates the three remaining deliveries.
10:13 AM
Over 2: Shannon Gabriel
Frustration for Burns as Gabriel takes over. First he is hit on the hip, missing a chance to nudge a single, and then a robust glance cannons into the shins of Shamarh Brooks at short leg. That would have been a boundary.
Gabriel then beats Burns outside off before spearing one down the leg side. Burns picks up a couple off the sixth ball, clumping a back-foot drive through cover for two.
A great start for West Indies and they have England's skipper in early.
10:07 AM
Wicket!!
Roach begins very, very full to Burns, who drops his bat on the ball and picks up one to square leg via an inside edge. A bit of shape away from the left-hander to start.
Holder packs the leg side with Sibley on strike with a mid on, a mid-wicket and a square leg. Roach promptly hangs the ball a long way outside off, three times.
Roach gets straighter on the penultimate ball and there is a mix-up between the batsmen as John Campbell fields at mid-wicket. Burns gets back at the non-striker's end, though.
That keeps Sibley on strike for and he is pinned bang in front! Richard Kettleborough obliges a big appeal and there is no review!
Sibley lbw b Roach 0 FoW England 1-1
10:01 AM
Here come England's openers
It'll be Kemar Roach to take the new ball for West Indies with Rory Burns on strike. After everyone on the field and around the boundary takes a knee, we will begin.
Another plug for a Tim Wigmore article before we get going. England have kept Woakes in the side. Here is why.
Chris Woakes, handily, has a slightly higher Test batting average than Zak Crawley. And he averages 22 with the ball in Tests in England: at home, you should never want to leave him out https://t.co/m1nJvKGqe5
This Test is dedicated to the Ruth Strauss Foundation, which was set up in memory of this man's late wife. We'll be seeing plenty of red around Old Trafford.
Joe Root is happy enough with batting first. He says England have "a template to work from".
Sam Curran and Zac Crawley make way for Archer and Anderson with everyone moving up one in the batting order. So the skipper will be at three. Interesting.
09:33 AM
West Indies win the toss and will bowl
Jason Holder has won the toss and has decided to bowl.
"We think there's a little bit of moisture in the surface and we're going to try and make the most of it"
One change for the tourists. Rahkeem Cornwall is in - well done, Tim Wigmore - and Alzarri Joseph is out.
09:24 AM
A return for this man?
He looks pretty happy in the warm-ups...
PA - Archer
09:22 AM
Good morning!
Hello everyone and welcome to our live text commentary of the Test that will decide the Wisden Trophy. After two compelling Tests, it feels fitting that the series has come down to the wire at Old Trafford.
A couple of preview pieces to get you started, then. First up, Tim Wigmore has heard chatter that Rahkeem Cornwall - all 6ft 6in and 22 stone of him - could be in the West Indies XI.
Let Tim tell you what he could offer:
'He has something special. Not many batsmen are used to facing a spin bowler who's 6ft 6in'
Some chatter Rahkeem Cornwall may play today for the first time this series. Here's what England would be up againsthttps://t.co/xavEqANmyh
Secondly, here is a taster of Nick Hoult's look at England:
Joe Root moved quickly to avert a national emergency on Thursday as he discussed the state of health of Ben Stokes for the series deciding Test against West Indies.
“He is definitely ok to play as a batsman. Don’t worry too much. I can see the concern on people’s faces but it is a question of how much impact he can have with the ball on day one, in the second innings or at all.”
Stokes had the perfect game to inspire a series-leveling win in the second Test but it came at the cost of a thigh strain that means a rethink for England.
His sheer will to win means you cannot rule Stokes bowling at some stage of the third Test but England clearly feel he will be diminished, so no reprising of his spell last Sunday of 11 overs containing 57 bouncers.
Could Dominic Bess be sacrificed for England to assemble a four-pronged seam attack with Stokes playing as a batsman?
It’s key to note that we’re not saying the “best team” or “best roster.” Instead, we’re talking about the best confluence of factors that can outline a path for survival and then success.
Miami Heat president Pat Riley rebuked comments Jimmy Butler made about the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, while also implying that his star needs to play more.
The Knicks came away with a Game 1 victory behind Donte DiVincenzo clutch bombs, Josh Hart lightning strikes and another historic performance by Jalen Brunson.
Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss the Padres-Marlins trade that sent Luis Arraez to San Diego, as well as recap all the action from this weekend in baseball and send birthday wishes to hall-of-famer Willie Mays.
Fantasy baseball analyst Andy Behrens offers up a series of pickups to assist every manager, starting with a duo of Rockies ahead of a Colorado homestand.
