Marlon Samuels helped put a stop to a West Indies batting collapse with an unbeaten 94 to push the home side to 5 for 188 at stumps on day one of the second Test in Grenada.
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The 34-year-old, playing in his 100th Test innings, dominated the final session as he set up a 58-run sixth-wicket stand with Denesh Ramdin.
Such was Samuels’ dominance, Ramdin contributed just six runs to the West Indies’ total as Samuels’ classy strokeplay left the England bowlers searching for answers.
Despite the lifeless pitch, the West Indies were reduced to 5 for 129 before a flurry of boundaries from Samuels helped rescue the hosts’ innings.
While the West Indies ended the day’s play strongly, it was England’s bowlers who were on top for most of the day.
James Anderson struck an early blow after his inswinging yorker made a mess of Kraigg Braithwaite’s leg stump, extending his England record to 385 wickets.
Chris Jordan was rewarded next after Devon Smith (15) was caught behind just before lunch.
Darren Bravo and Samuels looked to have settled down proceedings, but Stuart Broad sent Bravo (35) back to the pavilion after he was caught in the slips by skipper Alastair Cook.
Ben Stokes then removed Shivnarine Chanderpaul (1) cheaply to leave the West Indies struggling at 4 for 74.
Jordan picked up his second wicket of the day after dismissing first-Test centurion Jermaine Blackwood for 26 to leave West Indies reeling at 5 for 129.
Samuels then turned on the fireworks, attacking the boundaries to help his side get out of major trouble heading into day two.
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