England frustrated by lower order as West Indies edge ahead in Grenada

England were handed a taste of their own medicine on day two of their winner-takes-all third Test in Grenada, with the West Indies moving into the lead after a bullish lower-order fightback.

Having seen Jack Leach and Saqib Mahmood redeem their own batting collapse with a last-ditch stand worth 90 on the first evening, the tourists had no response for a similar show of resistance led by Josh Da Silva.

The Trinidadian wicketkeeper came to the crease on 95 for six, with a briefly revitalised Chris Woakes having conjured a three-wicket burst just after lunch, but showed real fortitude to lead his side to 232 for eight.

Over the course of his battling 54 not out Da Silva was there to see his side past three figures, beyond 200 and into an eventual lead of 28, all before posting the first half-century of a low-scoring match. With stands of 49 with Alzarri Joseph and an unbroken 55 with Kemar Roach, he may yet have played a decisive hand.

Neither side has been able to hammer home a definitive advantage in this battle for the Richards-Botham Trophy, with both showcasing their frailties and fortitude at different times, but the hosts have their noses in front.

For England it dulled the sheen of optimism that had emerged when wickets were tumbling through the middle of the day. The game is not gone yet, with the fourth innings likely to be the trickiest yet, but on this evidence the current line-up does not have the inspiration or imagination to put the series to bed after three Tests in as many weeks.

The day began with a big examination of Woakes and Craig Overton. With brand new Dukes in hand and a less lifeless pitch than the ones which came before, they had the chance to lay down a marker for England.

Instead they shared a