West Indies’ fast bowler Kemar Roach rocked England with a five-wicket haul in the post-lunch session on the second day of the first cricket Test at Kensington Oval here on Thursday.
The experienced Roach took five for 17 in 11 superb overs of swing as England, resuming from 30 for one at lunch, replying to the West Indies’ first innings total of 289 off 101.3 overs, were routed for a paltry 77 in 30.2 overs just before the scheduled tea interval.
Captain Jason Holder gave admirable support, trapping his opposite number, Joe Root LBW for four to add to the wicket of England opener Keaton Jennings, who caught in the gully by Shai Hope for 17.
Holder ended with two for 15 while Alzarri Joseph also grabbed two wickets for 20 runs and the other member of the four-pronged pace attack, Shannon Gabriel took one for 15.
Roach started by bowling both Rory Burns and Jonny Bairstow off the inside edge for two and 12 respectively.
He then trapped left-hander Ben Stokes LBW and removed Moeen Ali for “ducks” off consecutive balls.
Ali fended off a lifting delivery to long leg where Joseph spectacularly hauled in a well-judged high catch inside the boundary.
Roach claimed his fifth wicket in the space of 27 balls when he produced a lifting delivery which Jos Buttler snicked to wicket-keeper Shane Dowrich.
Dowrich was again in action, diving to his right to take a low catch when Joseph, who replaced Holder, induced an edge from the bat of wicket-keeper Ben Foakes, who made two.
Gabriel collected the ninth wicket, having Sam Curran caught in the gully for 14 while Joseph took the last wicket when Adil Rashid, who edged to Holder at second slip after making 12.
Earlier, the Windies, resuming from 264 for eight overnight, added 25 runs before losing their last two wickets.
Shimron Hetmyer, who restarted from 54, went on to make 81 before he was last out, caught behind by Foakes off all-rounder Stokes, who ended with four for 59 off 25.3 overs.
Hetmyer struck nine fours and two sixes off 109 balls in 157 minutes at the crease. Veteran James Anderson was England’s most successful bowler with five for 46 in 30 overs.
Summarised Scores
West Indies 289 in 101.3 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 81, Shai Hope 57, Roston Chase 54, John Campbell 44, Kraigg Brathwaite 40; James Anderson 5-46, Ben Stokes 4-46). England 77 in 30.2 overs (Kemar Roach 5-17, Jason Holder 2-15, Alzarri Joseph 2-20). (EZS)