Day 2: Tons by Root and Stokes, England in command

Joe Root completed his 150 while Ben Stokes regained his form by scoring an aggressive ton to put West Indies on the back foot in the 2^nd Test.

The debutant Matthew Fisher picked up a wicket on the 2^nd delivery but the unbeaten fifty-run stand between Braithwaite and Brooks ensured that West Indies will not lose any more wickets before stumps.

England    1^st innings   507-9 Dec

Root 153               Permaul 3-126                                                                                                                                               Stokes 120            Roach 2-68

West Indies   1^st innings  71-1

Brooks 31*             Fisher 1-18                                                                                                                                        Brathwaite 28*

Ben Stokes made a magnificent return to his form in the longest format with a brilliant hundred that helped England to put a commanding total on the board.

Joe Root’s splendid form continues as he scored another 150 (12^th of his career) and he is inching closer to the record of 10,000 Test runs.

Some good contributions from Ben Foakes and Chris Woakes helped their side to cross 500 run mark.

The debutant Mathew Fisher bowled brilliantly in his first international Test.

He picked up his maiden Test wicket by dismissing Ian Campbell on only the second ball of his first over.

After losing an early first wicket, the duo of Braithwaite and Brooks played patiently against the swinging new ball.

England used 6 bowlers in the 27 overs before stumps but they didn’t manage to pick up the second wicket.

Braithwaite and Brooks will continue their batting on day 3 and both of them will need to score big and put West Indies back into this match.

Earlier, Root and Stokes batted superbly and added 125 in the first session.

Root completed his 150 but the star for England on day 2 was Ben Stokes who played a blinder.

He just keeps going and going…

Match Centre: https://t.co/N282BhQZ0J

🏝 #WIvENG 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 | @root66 pic.twitter.com/ch2xPueeUT

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 17, 2022

Stokes took charge against the West Indian bowlers and smashed them all-around the ground.

Kemar Roach broke the 4^th wicket partnership between them by getting Root LBW out for 153 runs.

The centurion from the 1^st Test Johnny Bairstow had a short stay at the crease today as he was dismissed by Alzari Joseph for only 20 runs.

Stokes is back with a bang

Ben Stokes was simply outstanding today against the West bowlers.

He scored his 11^th Test hundred off just 114 deliveries.

Test century #⃣1⃣1⃣ 👏

Match Centre: https://t.co/N282Bi8Apj

🏝 #WIvENG 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 | @benstokes38 pic.twitter.com/NXDDT6jvso

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 17, 2022

Stokes smashed 6 sixes and 11 fours in his blistering knock of 120 runs.

This is commendable as he was struggling badly before this match and also had a very poor Ashes with the bat.

This was the first Test Hundred for Stokes after 18 months and almost 23 innings.

He suffered an injury, lost his form, and also his Father last year but this knock has brought his confidence and form back that will help him in the upcoming matches.

Stokes got out after scoring 120 runs from only 128 deliveries at a strike rate of 93.75.

Contributions from Woakes and Foakes

After losing the wicket of Stokes, Ben Foakes and Chris Woakes put up another crucial partnership for England.

They added 75 runs for the 7^th wicket as England reached 500 runs in the first innings.

Ben Foakes was stumped out by Permaul at 33 runs while Chris Woakes was caught at mid-wicket while trying to slog a short ball on the leg-side, England declared their innings on 507-9.

Veerasammy Permaul claimed 3 wickets but he conceded 126 runs.