Chanderpaul holds firms as WI make steady progress

England dismissed for 399 in their first-innings of the opening Test as hosts trail by 244 at stumps on day two.

Cricket: West Indies'' Shivnarine Chanderpaul in action as England''s Jos Buttler looks on
Chanderpaul has faced 98 deliveries for his unbeaten 29 [Reuters]

West Indies trailed England by 244 runs at close on day two of the opening Test in Antigua after Shivnarine Chanderpaul applied the brakes to any potential batting slumps.

England will feel in control of the test but new West Indies coach Phil Simmons will also be encouraged by the way his team avoided the kind of middle-order slump that has hampered them in recent years.

England were bowled out for 399 just before lunch then made good inroads to reduce the Caribbean side to 99 for four.

But the 40-year-old Chanderpaul (29*), supported by Jermaine Blackwood (30*), produced a characteristically disciplined innings to take West Indies to 155 for four at close.

England’s James Anderson, in his 100th Test, claimed the early wicket of Devon Smith for 11, the left-hander edging to Jos Buttler.

Buttler then pocketed another catch to remove Darren Bravo (10), who edged as he tried to let go a delivery from Chris Jordan, to leave West Indies at 42 for two.

Kraigg Brathwaite and Marlon Samuels steadied West Indies to 84 for two at tea but frustratingly for skipper Denesh Ramdin, neither batsman were able to capitalise.

The hosts had earlier mopped up the England tail, claiming the last five wickets for 42 runs.

The last wicket pair of Chris Jordan (21 not out) and James Anderson (20) added 38, the third biggest partnership in the England innings, before Anderson mistimed a shot from Marlon Samuels’ off-spin to Holder at short cover.

Roach finished with four for 94.

Scorecard (Day 2):

England 399 all out (Bell 143, Roach 4-94)

West Indies 155-4 (Brathwaite 39, Tredwell 1-22)

Source: Reuters