With Trent Bridge sparkling in some long-awaited sunshine, this was a heartening day of Test cricket, as West Indies displayed the sort of spirit and skill that saw them triumph over Australia in Brisbane in January.
Even England fans who revelled in their team steamrolling the visitors in little more than two days in the first Test at Lord’s will agree that this was a more enjoyable spectacle and a greater showing of health for the five-day game.
Hodge was magnificent. Yes, everything about the conditions were ideal for batting, yet some of his team-mates had already wasted their chance through some awful strokes. Supported by Athanaze, he has put West Indies into a position from which they have a chance of levelling the series.
England, without Anderson and Stuart Broad in a home Test for the first time in 12 years, did little wrong and are probably learning more than at Lord’s. Wood was scintillating, at one stage bowling in excess of 97mph, only to later pull up in his 15th over.
However, England’s cessation of control is down to some old frailties. Their 416 in the first innings was a good total, though their wastefulness prevented it from being impregnable. If Root had held his straightforward chance at first slip, perhaps England would have been batting again before the end of the day.
Stokes’ side may well go on to win this match, but they are in a battle. The contest is all the richer for it.
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