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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

5 talking points as brilliant Nkrumah Bonner century puts West Indies in front vs England

A magnificent second Test century from Nkrumah Bonner saw the West Indies forge a crucial first-innings lead over England in Antigua.

Bonner continued where he left off on day two, leaving well and playing patiently as he scored 123 and helped the West Indies post a total of 373-9.

After reaching the close of play on day two still trailing England by 109 runs, Bonner and Jason Holder resumed with the target of whittling away that lead.

However, Ben Stokes made a crucial breakthrough for England, bowling a probing spell with the old ball and getting his just reward with the wicket of Holder.

The former West Indies captain was caught behind for a battling 45 after Stokes lured him into playing at a ball he could have left and found a thin edge.

Bonner, in partnership with wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva, continued to chip away at England's lead as the pair put on 73 runs for the sixth wicket.

Nkrumah Bonner scored an excellent century in the first Test against England (RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

Spinner Jack Leach ultimately broke the partnership, pinning Da Silva lbw for 32 in what was his first wicket of the match, before Craig Overton got Alzarri Joseph for just two with a well-directed short ball.

Joseph's dismissal left the hosts 282-7 and still 29 runs behind England, but Kemar Roach played a hugely valuable supporting role alongside Bonner as the West Indies edged in front.

Roach added just 15 runs, but lasted a crucial 89 balls and allowed Bonner to continue going about his business and reach three figures.

It was a mighty fine innings from the 33-year-old and deservedly put his side in the driving seat.

Bonner's partnership with Roach was eventually broken by a run-out from Ollie Pope, who was on the field as a replacement for the injured Mark Wood.

However, Bonner continued on his merry way and number ten Veerasammy Permaul picked up where Roach left off, frustrating England in a 46-run partnership.

With the West Indies' lead up to 61 runs, Bonner's vigil came to an end in remarkable fashion when he was caught down the leg side off part-time off spinner Dan Lawrence.

England were ultimately unable to take the final West Indies wicket before the close of play, with the hosts ending the day on 373-9 and ahead by 62 runs.

Here are five talking points from the day's play.

Ben Stokes was the pick of England's bowlers on day three (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Stokes remains an all-round threat

Injury problems and an increased importance to the side as a frontline batter over the past few years have led to some suggestions that it may be time to limit the amount of overs Stokes bowls.

However, he remains a potent threat with the ball, particularly overseas, and that was clearly illustrated in this Test as he was the pick of England's bowlers and returned impressive figures of 2-42.

On day three, he broke the key partnership between Holder and Bonner with an excellent spell with the old ball, eventually getting Holder caught behind.

Speaking to Sky Sports, former England star Mark Butcher said: "Ben Stokes bowled a really, really top spell with the old ball, managing to get that little bit of reverse swing that saw the end of Jason Holder."

Stokes was far from his best in the recent Ashes series, with a lack of match fitness evidently affecting his performances, but he is beginning to show signs of getting back to his best.

Bonner's vigil

The 33-year-old shared a key partnership with Holder on day two as he dug in after the West Indies lost four relatively quick wickets and, while Holder was dismissed early on day three, Bonner has continued to battle.

He left the ball particularly well and helped the hosts gradually chip away at England's first innings lead, before pushing them towards a first-innings lead.

In total, Bonner batted for over 500 minutes and reached his second Test century off 274 balls, eventually getting caught down the leg side off part-timer Lawrence for 123.

He has proved to be an inspired pick by the West Indies so far in his short Test career, averaging over 40 heading into this match despite only averaging 28 in first-class cricket.

"Another fine display of patience and temperament by Nkrumah Bonner," tweeted former West Indies bowler Ian Bishop.

"First selected as a T20 batsman back in 2011 vs England. Now 5 times in ten Test matches he has batted for more than 200 deliveries in an innings. Congrats on test century number 2."

Craig Overton's lack of pace with the second new ball will be a concern for England (Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Overton's lack of pace

The Somerset seamer has been one of the most consistent wicket takers in county cricket over the past few years, but Overton has so far struggled to make an impact at Test match level.

After returning to the Test side during last summer's series against India, Overton spoke about how he had managed to put on a yard of pace.

However, in the two Tests he played against India and so far in this one against the West Indies, Overton's average speeds have been the slowest in his Test career.

At one point during his first over with the second new ball, Overton was clocked bowling at just 75mph which is certainly a concern for England.

He did continue to toil away admirably on an unhelpful surface and ended the day with figures of 2-85 from his 32 overs.

Tailender Kemar Roach played a key innings that lasted 89 balls, providing crucial support for Bonner (RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

Roach's crucial rearguard

When the West Indies' number nine came to the crease, the hosts had just lost two wickets in quick succession and were still trailing England's first innings total.

When Roach was run out by substitute fielder Pope, the hosts had a slender lead of 15 runs and Bonner had reached his century.

Roach is an experienced Test match player and his knock of 15 off 89 balls was hugely valuable for the West Indies, with England's bowlers getting both frustrated and tired the longer he remained at the crease.

Permaul also played a similar innings, making 26 not out off 87 balls, as the West Indies edged towards a 62-run lead.

Mark Wood only bowled five overs for England due to an elbow injury (Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Wood's injury concern

Another concern for England came in the form of an elbow injury picked up by star quick Wood, who spent the vast majority of day three off the field.

Wood missed the start of play due to the injury and only bowled five overs when he did return.

England confirmed that the 30-year-old had an issue with his right elbow and stated late in the second session that he was unlikely to bowl again in the innings.

The development is a hugely concerning one for England, with Wood's express pace against the tail sorely missing as Roach provided able support for Bonner and Stokes was forced to bowl 20+ overs in an innings for just the fourth time since 2020.

With just five days between the end of this Test and the start of the second, Wood's place in the side will surely be in doubt.

Can you help underprivileged children experience the joy of cricket? Charity Bat for a Chance donates cricket kit to those most in need and is also fundraising. Find out more here

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