Jonny Bairstow struck an up tempo half-century but seamer Alzarri Joseph grabbed two wickets to lead a potent display, as West Indies took charge of the second Test on the opening day at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground here Thursday.
At the break, the visitors were 78 for four with the right-handed Bairstow unbeaten on 52 off 62 balls, with nine fours and a six.
He was forced to counter-attack after West Indies found success regularly on a two-paced pitch, with Joseph making key strikes to finish with two for 18.
Seamer Kemar Roach made the breakthrough after England made a sedate start, having left-hander Rory Burns caught at second slip for four by captain Jason Holder going low to his right, with the score on four in the fifth over of the morning.
Debutant Joe Denly (6) made an inauspicious start to his international career, toe-edging Joseph’s first ball of the morning – a wide long hop – to be caught at the wicket at 16 for two, nearing the hour mark.
Joseph then got the prized wicket of captain Joe Root for seven, gloving a snorter to third slip where John Campbell parried for Shai Hope to complete the catch running around from fourth slip.
And 20 minutes before the break, Jos Buttler edged an out-swinger from Holder to Hope at second slip, to fall for one.(CMC)
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