England wiped out their first innings deficit as West Indies struggled for breakthroughs at lunch on the penultimate day of the first Test here Friday.
Trailing by 64 runs after dismissing West Indies for 375, England were 72 for one at lunch – a lead of eight runs – at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
Zak Crawley was unbeaten on 45 and partnered by captain Joe Root on 20, the pair having put on 48 for the second wicket.
The only casualty was debutant Alex Lees, the left-hander falling lbw to wily seamer Kemar Roach for six in the 11th over of the innings.
Crawley has played positively, lashing seven fours in a 77-ball knock while Root has faced 40 deliveries and counted two boundaries.
Earlier, West Indies managed to add only two to their overnight 373 for nine before Jayden Seales fell to the morning’s third ball, lbw to left-arm spinner Jack Leach (2-79) without scoring.
Veerasammy Permaul remained unbeaten on his overnight 26.
Source-CMC
