‘Heart and soul went into that day’ – Stuart Broad
England and Stuart Broad were left wondering ‘what if’ as catches went down, decisions were overturned, and the West Indies got a vital 85-run lead on the second day of the Antigua Test.
Already 1-0 down in the series, and having managed only 187 in the first innings, England were in dire need of early wickets but didn’t get any as John Campbell and Kraigg Brathwaite added 70 runs in 33 overs before Ben Stokes got Campbell caught in the slips.
They had their chances to breakthrough a lot earlier. Campbell was dropped by Buttler once, and had another decision overturned after the ball took Campbell’s elbow and ended up with Joe Root in the slips.
And all this off the bowling of Broad. “Heart and soul went into that day,” an exasperated Broad said afterwards.
Broad had two catches dropped off his bowling
“I feel lost about how we only got six wickets. We got 103 plays and misses in the day and I can’t think of more in any Test I have played in.”
Broad has had 97 catches dropped off his bowling since his debut, which is the most for any bowler. The second on the list is James Anderson, who failed to take a wicket on the day.
But for Broad, who was making a comeback to the playing XI after being left out of the Barbados Test, the three wickets he claimed – Shai Hope, Roston Chase and Shane Dowrich – brought satisfaction.
“I feel like we could have got 10 wickets today,” Broad said. “I got three wickets, but I could have walked away with a hat full and I don’t mean that in an arrogant way. But I felt that threatening as a bowler, and that is a good sign in a huge year for English cricket and myself.”
West Indies battle through to the close and end the day on 271-6, 85 runs ahead of England. #WIvENG | #WIvsENG
FOLLOW ➡️ https://t.co/mvoVZGAUlR pic.twitter.com/Hpfm50p2I9
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 1, 2019
Brathwaite, who made a 156-ball 49 and teamed up with Campbell (47 off 118) to frustrate the England new-ball bowlers, said spending time in the middle on a “tough pitch” was the key to scoring runs.
“It’s not an easy pitch. Actually, it’s quite a tough pitch to bat on,” Brathwaite said.
“Spending time in the middle is key. You have to play what you see. You can’t worry about what went before, just have to focus on the next ball.”
The opener felt a lead of 85 on a surface that has something in it for the bowlers had put his team in a good position.
??? England will not be looking forward to batting on this pitch.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 1, 2019
“With a lead of 85, once we start well tomorrow, that will be great for us. The confidence is high in the camp. We are still underdogs but we’re doing a great job,” he said.
“Six days of cricket so far and we have been very disciplined. We were very impressive in the first match in Barbados and we have carried that discipline into this match here. We’re in a good position but we don’t want to get too far ahead … still work to do to win the match.”
