Dom Sibley’s tremendous performance:
Dom Sibley’s outstanding unbeaten 86 runs helped the England team to recover from an early fall down. On the first day of the 2nd Test match between England and West Indies, On Thursday (16-07-2020), England made 207 runs with the loss of 3 wickets, which is taking place at Old Trafford.
Sibley, the opener of Warwickshire batted out 82 overs of the day for more than six hours duration at the crease on the way to score his back to back second half-century of the series. England needs to win this Test match to level the three-match tournament, were in a big problem at 29-2 after West Indies off-spinner Roston Chase claimed two wickets of England in just two balls either side of lunchtime.
But Dom Sibley and Ben Strokes, who is unbeaten on 59 runs got England back to the tournament with a steady stand of 126 runs after they lost the toss and in bowler-friendly condition.
England had to go through a shock just before the match when they forced to leave their most promising bowler, Jofra Archer after he broke the COVID-19 protocols. His absence in the team depressed the England team as already they decided to give rest to James Anderson and Mark Wood.
However, the West Indies made an excellent start. Before lunch, Chase delivered just his second ball and Rory Burns lbw for just 15 runs. And after that when England was 29-1 became 29-2 when Zak Crawley’s wicket was gone.
Joe Root, the England captain helped Sibley and managed to add 52 runs. Before tea, Sibley’s score was 44. And on 68 runs, he was reprieved when Jason Holder dropped a routine slip opportunity off Gabriel. On 82 runs, he had another disappointing moment when Kemar Roach appeal an lbw on umpire’s call.
In this meantime, all-rounder Ben Stokes made his half-century in 119 balls.
