At the time of going to press, West Indies needed 122 runs to beat England in the third test and draw the series after dismissing the tourists for just 123 on Sunday. West Indies went to tea on the third day at 70-3, needing another 122 for victory at Kensington Oval. After lunch, the home side lost both of its openers Shai Hope (9) and Kraigg Brathwaite (25) and big wicket of Marlon Samuels (20).
On Sunday morning, England resumed its second innings on 39-5 after 18 wickets had fallen on Saturday, with West Indies all out for 189 in reply to England’s first innings of 257. England again collapsed on Sunday from 62-5 to 98-9 before Jos Buttler (in pic) — England’s top scorer with an undefeated 35, including two sixes and four fours — and Jimmy Anderson added 25 very useful runs for the last wicket.
Wicketkeeper Buttler shared successive important stands with left-handed partners — 23 with Gary Ballance and 33 with Ben Stokes. left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul struck with his second ball after replacing fast bowler Jerome Taylor when Ballance edged a low catch to Darren Bravo at slip. He made 23.
Buttler received a reprieve when umpire Billy Bowden’s verdict of out to a leg-side catch by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin off Taylor was overturned on review. Buttler hoisted Permaul over long-off for six and reverse swept him for four in his next over.
Permaul ended the seventh-wicket partnership as Stokes drove a catch to cover after scoring 32. One run later, fast bowler Jason Holder dismissed Chris Jordan leg before wicket for 2 and Stuart Broad for a duck with successive balls.
Running out of partners, Buttler hit out against Permaul and fast bowler Shannon Gabriel. England’s seconds innings ended as Taylor claimed Anderson lbw with umpire’s not out decision overturned on review. At close of play on Saturday, England looked in a slightly lesser state of bother with James Anderson wrecking the West Indies batting order but England were tottering at 39 for five, taking a lead of 107 runs.
On a pitch that is rapidly deteriorating, 18 wickets fell in the three sessions on Saturday, the most in a single day’s play in the 85 years of Test cricket at the venue.
Brief Score
England: 257 & 123 (Buttler 35*, Taylor 3/33, Holder 3/15, Permaul 3/43) lead West Indies: 189 & 70/3 by 188 runs.