Cricket-Wood acknowledges extra scrutiny facing England bowlers

(Reuters) - There was always going to be extra scrutiny of the England pace attack after the omission of veterans Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad for the West Indies tour, something that is not lost on Mark Wood and his team mates.

Wood acknowledged after day two of the first test in Antigua that it felt weird not to have the two stalwarts on hand.

"It's obviously going to be talked about, Anderson and Broad, because they are legends, but we just have to admit we didn't get it right to start with and we'll be out to get it right next time."

He was referring to the early part of the West Indies innings, when openers Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell put on a quick 83, with Chris Woakes and Craig Overton in particular coming in for heavy punishment.

With England defending a respectable 311-run first innings total, they belatedly got their execution right and the visitors seemed poised to press home their advantage after picking up four quick scalps in North Sound.

The pace quartet of Wood, Ben Stokes, Overton and Woakes all chipped in with one wicket apiece as West Indies slid to 123 for four, their batting fragility exposed not for the first time in recent years.

Woakes was no doubt relieved to have Jermaine Blackwood caught at gully for 11 from an inside edge onto the pad that was initially given not out before being overturned after Joe Root opted to review.

He had come in for some heavy punishment and ended the day with 1-54 off 12 overs.

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