England fight back after losing early wickets

BIRMINGHAM, England : Joe Root hit an unbeaten 58 and captain Ben Stokes was 48 not out as England fought back to reach lunch at 157-5 on the second day of the third test against the West Indies at Edgbaston on Saturday.

The experienced pair steadied the innings, putting on 103 runs to leave the hosts trailing by 125 runs with five wickets remaining.

It was Root’s 63rd half century in test cricket after surviving a lbw appeal when he was on 10.

Stokes hit some characteristic lusty blows, with his 48 coming up in 62 balls, as the session saw more than 100 run scored despite a poor start by England.

They had resumed 38-3, in reply to the West Indies' 282, and lost two early wickets.

Ollie Pope was bowled in the third over as Shamar Joseph’s delivery kept low, taking an inside edge and crashing into the stumps, followed by Harry Brook, caught behind for two from a loose stroke to give Jayden Seales his third wicket.

Root and Stokes successfully counter attacked, however, and their century partnership came off 128 balls.

England have clinched the series after winning the first two tests, by an innings and 114 runs at Lord’s and 241 runs at Trent Bridge.