GROS ISLET – West Indies gifted Joe Denly a life and he made the most of it to spearhead England’s second innings charge, as they pushed their lead beyond 200 at lunch on the third day of the final Test here Monday.
Denly was closing in on his maiden Test half-century unbeaten on 45 with England on 108 for two, already 231 runs ahead in the contest at the Darren Sammy National Stadium.
He was partnered at the break by captain Joe Root (18 not out) with whom he has shared an unbroken third wicket stand of 35.
Denly had earlier added 54 for the second wicket with luckless Keaton Jennings who made 23, to stabilise the innings.
England, resuming on 19 without loss, suffered a setback off the morning’s first delivery when left-hander Rory Burns clipped seamer Keemo Paul to Alzarri Joseph at square leg.
Denly, who has faced 68 balls and struck six fours, then combined with left-hander Jennings, to keep the Windies without success for the remainder of the hour as Paul limped off with injury.
The right-handed Denly had his share of luck on 12, however, when he edged speedster Shannon Gabriel to third slip where Shimron Hetmyer grassed the chance, in the fourth over of the morning.
Jennings, starting the day on eight, faced 99 deliveries and counted two fours before departing 40 minutes before lunch, bowled off his pads by pacer Joseph with the first ball of the right-armer’s opening spell. (CMC)