Despite West Indies’ positive start to the third and final Test against England, the maroon bowlers struggled on day three as the hosts rallied back to take control in Birmingham, at stumps on July 27.

Responding to West Indies’ first innings score of 282, England closed the second day’s play on a precarious 38/3.

However, a stellar showing from their middle and lower order batsmen on the third day saw the Three Lions roar back to post 376; a lead of 94 runs.

At the close of play on day three, West Indies lost two key batsmen in the evening session - skipper Kraigg Brathwaite (duck) and Kirk McKenzie (eight) - and enter the fourth day’s play on July 28 trailing by 61 runs, with two days to go.

When England resumed on 38/2, West Indies seemed confident. But game-changing knocks from wicketkeeper Jamie Smith (95), Joe Root (85), Chris Woakes (62) and skipper Ben Stokes (54) reversed turned things around.

They were eventually dismissed for a stern 376 from 75.4 overs with fast bowlers Alzarri Joseph (4/122), Jayden Seales (3/79) and Shamar Joseph (2/63) doing the damage.

Trailing by 94 at the start of their second innings, captain and opener Brathwaite did not lead by example and gave the team an early setback as he was bowled by Woakes on the final ball of the first over without scoring.

McKenzie was dismissed five overs later as he was caught behind by Smith off Gus Atkinson’s pace. Mikyle Louis (18 not out) and Alick Athanaze (five not out) closed the third day’s play on 33/2, trailing England’s first innings score by 61.

Play resumes at 6am (TT time).

WEST INDIES 282 (75.1) - Kraigg Brathwaite 61, Jason Holder 59, Joshua Da Silva 49, Mikyle Louis 26; Gus Atkinson 4/67, Chris Woakes 3/69, Mark Wood 2/52 & Mikyle Louis 18 not out, Click Athanaze 5 not out vs ENGLAND 376 (75.4) - Jamie Smith 95, Joe Root 87, Chris Woakes 62, Ben Stokes 54; Alzarri Joseph 4/122, Jayden Seales 3/79, Shamar Joseph 2/63

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