West Indies Vs England Test Series 
Ist Test Played at Rose Bowel , Southampton England 
Brief Score at Stumps on Day Two 
England First Innings: 204 All Out ( Ben Stokes 43, JC Buttler 35, DM Bess 31, RJ Burns 30, J Holder 6/43 , S Gabriel 4/62 ) , West Indies 57/1 ( JO Campbell 28, Kraig Baraithwaite 20* , Anderson 1/ 17) 

Brilliant consistent pace bowling of Jason Holder ( 6/42) and mixed aggression and accuracy of Shannon Gabriel ( 4/62) crashed England to 204 all out on the rain affected second day of the well pursued first test of the England West Indies series. When stumps were drawn early for bad light yet again on day two West Indies could rally to 57/1 braving searing pace of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood as well as the brilliance of maestro James Anderson. Experts believe good sensible batting from here on would take the visitors grabbing complete control of the test . A lead of about 100 in the first innings would be extremely useful . But for that they will need batting  sensibly as day three and four promises to be better for batting under sun shine. 

After a rain reduced first day when play resumed on day two home team immediately ran into deep trouble 3 wickets for the addition of 39 runs . Shanon Gabriel was breathing fire from one end and Jason Holder kept probing from the other. Denly and Burns were removed by Gabriel and Pope fell to Holder. Captain Stokes and Wicket Keeper Buttler held the fort for a while adding 67 runs for the 6th wicket . But once Holder in a devastating spell removed both of them in quick succession English innings folded rapidly. Only DM Bess with an unbeaten 31 could give some resistance .

The combination of Gabriel and Holder brought back into memory the exploits of Marshal Holding , Roberts and Garner in 1970s or Walsh –Ambrose later on. Holder took 6/42 and Gabriel 4.62. Roach and Josef did not take any. But in the second innings both can be handy provided West Indies can manage a sizable first innings lead. 

In the rain interrupted West Indian Innings only 19.3 overs was possible . The tourists braved the searing pace of Archer and Wood as well as the brilliance of Anderson managing 57/1 . Flamboyant Campbell got out LBW to Anderson scoring 28. Braithwaitte with 20 and Hope on 3 were at the wicket when bad light forced early stump. Tourists trail by 147 runs at stumps on day two with 9 wickets at hand . 

Day three and four promises lot of sun shinning. Now the questioning is whether it will shine on West Indies. They have to bat well and earn at least 100 plus first innings lead. This young team appears better disciplined. What an wonderful achievement it will be if West Indies win from here. 

Holder said at end of days play .” My plan is getting back to consistency , bowling three four outswing at length on the fourth stump and then bring the ball in . I could do that . That is how I got three caught behind and two LBWs.” Holder proved why he is the number one all rounder in ICC Test Ranking now. If the wicket assists he can be devastating .

West Indian hero Brian Charles Lara in his match preview wanted his compatriots taking charges very early in the match. They have done that . Now they must hold the composure and kick on. 

BDST: 0127 HRS, JUL 10, 2020

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