As I’ve said Bridgetown is a city of contrasts and delight. For example there are two types of bus services – one, the ‘normal’ you’d expect anywhere; the other a ‘reggae’ service. In essence small vans packed to the limit blasting out reggae like no tomorrow and taking people around. Travelling in one is an assault on almost every sense – well perhaps not taste – but it’s an experience to remember! And perhaps the time for another blog since this morning we’ve seen another assault on the senses!
So for those hooked on my photos…here goes! And apologies for the sheer number but days like today are few!
The bare details show England have reached 367/3, Root gliding like a well tuned top of the range Audi (sorry I’m biased!) to 151no at lunch whilst at the other end we’ve witnessed one of Stokes attack innings. Starting slow, moved through the gears and reached top speed in striking balls to the boundary with such regularity that Brathwaite could do nothing other than post a patrol around the boundary. He’s 89no and was aiming for a century before lunch but ran out of time.
The match appears to be going away from the WIndies but there’s nothing in this pitch to suggest WIndies will not do well especially against an inexperienced England attack. I feel a high scoring draw looming (one hopes not as my Covid test for Grenada is due on Day 5 afternoon!)
The afternoon session was inevitable – ALMS – the pace could just not continue. Root succumbed to a lame appeal for 153, Stokes stroked rather than bludgeoned his way to a hundred and fell afterwards trying to boost the score to a rather silly shot but what an innings! The paid media will tell you all!
By tea time, Jonny had also gone for a quick 20 whilst Foakes and Woakes have added 50 plus to reach 482/6. The declaration cannot be far away.
It came just after tea at 507/9, Mahmood the only one ‘not let out to play’. It left WIndies with most of the session to make a start on chasing 308 to save the follow on but started in the same vein as England’s innings with Fisher taking Campbell second ball into his test career. There’s something of the ‘Angus Fraser’ about him and if he follows…
WIndies end the day on 71/1 but we were all privileged and honoured to be ‘Stoked’ today!
Cricket51days 