The Albany Gazette - Stokes strikes but Brathwaite resists for West Indies

After the talismanic all-rounder's entertaining 120 helped lift the tourists to a first innings total of 507 for nine declared on day two, Stokes claimed the important wicket of Nkrumah Bonner in the morning session and would have also accounted for Jermaine Blackwood had England opted for a review of a not out umpire's verdict to an lbw appeal.

Struggling to cope with the late inswing of England's seamers, Blackwood survived to the interval on seven while at the other end, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite looked far more composed at 44 not out.

Brathwaite had started the day in partnership with Shamarh Brooks with the home side at 71 for one.

However he lost his fellow Barbadian after half-hour's play when Brooks, on 39, attempted a cut at off spinner Jack Leach and Chris Woakes held the catch at backward-point.

Bonner, "Man of the Match" in the first Test when his patient first innings hundred and defiant second innings contribution ensured a draw in Antigua, fell to Stokes for just nine, adjudged leg-before.

Blackwood would have also been an lbw victim to Stokes before he had scored when trapped on the back foot by a full-length delivery.

While the decision by the umpire on the field was not out, and even the bowler's reaction suggested that he believed the ball would have missed the stumps, television replays showed the ball hitting leg-stump.

Had England captain Joe Root opted to review the decision, it would have been overturned in favour of the visitors.

(Y.Yildiz--BBZ)