Mayers' golden arm edges West Indies closer to victory over England

ST GEORGE'S: Kyle Mayers was again the man with the magic arm for the West Indies, taking three wickets as England, trailing on first innings by 93 runs, crashed to 43 for four in their second innings at tea on the third day of the third and final Test on Saturday (Mar 26).

Joshua da Silva's maiden Test century had extended the home side's first innings through the entire morning session before they were eventually dismissed for 297.

Then Mayers accounted for captain Joe Root, Dan Lawrence and all-rounder Ben Stokes in quick succession after Jayden Seales had despatched Zak Crawley to leave the visitors in danger of complete capitulation and another series defeat in the Caribbean.

Opening batsman Alex Lees and Jonny Bairstow will attempt to resurrect their team going into the final session against a rejuvenated home side whose only setback has been the loss of wicketkeeper da Silva with a finger injury midway through the afternoon session.

Da Silva's replacement behind the stumps, Shamarh Brooks, was immediately into action in taking the catch which removed the dangerous Stokes as the all-rounder paid the price for a careless attempt at pulling out of a shot.

Before that Root wafted at a wide delivery to be taken high at first slip by John Campbell while Lawrence was left bewildered when his decision not to play a shot saw the ball deviating into the right-hander and grazing the off-stump.

Seales, who played his part with the bat by contributing 13 in a 52-run last-wicket stand with da Silva, made the early breakthrough when Crawley drove at a full-length delivery and Jason Holder seemed to surprise himself by holding on the fizzing chance at second slip.

England's mood was already low-energy at the start of the day.

Resuming at