England vs West Indies: Blackwood and Brathwaite ton on Day 3 rattles England
Kraigg Brathwaite and Jermaine Blackwood hit superb centuries to take West Indies to 288/4 at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. A total of 217 runs were scored by West Indies and only 3 wickets were taken on Day 3, with the West Indies team leading all the way.
Jermaine Blackwood hit a century for the WindiesSlow and steady start for West Indies
The day began with West Indies being at 71/1. England bowlers got off to a good start in the first session as they dismissed Shamarh Brooks and Nkrumah Bonner for 39 and 9, respectively, but the opener Kraigg Brathwaite stood on the other end of the crease unbeaten.
Following the dismissals came Jermaine Blackwood on the crease. Along with Kraigg stitched a slow yet very crucial partnership of 411-balls. In form, Kraigg Brathwaite got the support from only post-lunch, where Jermaine Blackwood found his rhythm, and both completed their tons.
The duo made a 183-run partnership for the fourth wicket. It looked like they both will close the day without further damage for their team. However, a shambolic moment from Jermaine Blackwood cost the team his wicket at 102 as Dan Lawrence caught him for the leg before.
The wicket must have given England's team the much-needed boost, which failed to capitalise on their low-run rate bowling overpressures into successful wickets.
Missed chances by England
In this course of the day, England had a few missed opportunities for wickets. Jermaine Blackwood, who got out at 102, would have been out on duck for an LBW off Ben Stokes, but England didn't review that.
He was out bowled when on 65 off Saqib Mahmood, but it proved to be a front foot no-ball. He must be regretting his overstep on the crease as it could have given him his maiden Test wicket.
Jermaine Blackwood on his ton said, "It was very special. The last time I played England here, I scored 85 and 47. The last game I didn't score any runs.
"You could see the emotion when I scored the century. I have a lot of half-centuries, wanted to bat the whole day, it wasn't supposed to be. Joe Root and Ben Stokes scored a century, I told myself to bat 200 balls and I executed it.
"I love playing against Ben Stokes. We played U-19 cricket together. It pushes me even more while batting. (On his dismissal) I misjudged that, thought it would bounce more."
Another good competition to follow
Though West Indies looked to have pulled a lot in response to England's 500+ score, there is still a long way to go in this Test match for both the teams.
With just three wickets lost in a day, as West Indies added 217 runs to their overnight score, the Caribbean opener Kraigg Brathwaite still stood on the crease unbeaten for 109 off 337 balls along with Alzarri Joseph.
England bowlers who looked tired by the end of the day combined with a few unlucky moments, there's still a lot of fight left for the bowlers.