third Test: Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler steer England to 258/Four in opposition to West Indies on Day 1 in Manchester | Cricket News

MANCHESTER: Ollie Pope and Jos Buttler made their first large scores of the collection in placing on an unbeaten stand of 136 runs to rebuild England’s innings in opposition to the West Indies and put the hosts on high on day one of many deciding Test at Old Trafford on Friday.
England recovered from 122-Four simply earlier than tea to shut on 258-4, with Pope on 91 as he goes in quest of his second Test century and Buttler on 56.
Both gamers had been below strain to ship within the third Test after underwhelming performances to date on this collection. Buttler, particularly, is feeling the warmth from Ben Foakes for the wicketkeeper place and a primary half-century in Tests since September justified the selectors’ backing of the limited-overs specialist.
Buttler smashed recalled spinner Rahkeem Cornwall for 2 sixes in the identical over – one over deep midwicket and the opposite over long-on – however in any other case stayed measured and largely restrained in a 120-ball knock. His one and solely Test century got here two years in the past in opposition to India.

Pope, whose highest rating on this collection was 12, compiled his runs faster – a rarity for a batsman alongside Buttler – and struck 11 fours earlier than dangerous mild stopped play for the day about 10 minutes earlier than the scheduled finish in Manchester.
Before Pope and Buttler got here collectively, the knowledge of England deploying a truncated batting lineup and together with 4 quick bowlers together with a spinner was being questioned.
Dom Sibley (0) departed off the sixth ball of the day after taking part in throughout Kemar Roach and getting trapped lbw, and captain Joe Root, making an attempt a fast single, was run out by Roston Chase’s direct throw for 17 simply earlier than lunch.
When Ben Stokes – promoted to No. Four and taking part in as a specialist batsman – was bowled by means of the gate by Roach for 20, England had been 92-Three and their batting lineup was out of the blue wanting wafer skinny.
Rory Burns (57) then edged Chase to slide, the place the burly Cornwall took an excellent, instinctive one-handed catch.

England responded nicely, although, and moved into a robust place to win a collection that’s poised at 1-1.
The Windies, who received the primary Test in Southampton, want to seize a Test collection in England for the primary time since 1988.
Roach has 2-56 off 18.Four overs, and wishes another wicket for 200 in Tests.