England dominated the second day of the first Test against the West Indies at Lord’s, closing in on a comprehensive victory led by veteran James Anderson in his farewell Test match. At stumps, the West Indies were struggling at 79-6 in their second innings, still trailing by a substantial 171 runs after England had posted 371 in their first innings.
James Anderson, playing in his 188th and final Test match, made significant contributions with the ball, picking up crucial wickets to further bolster his illustrious career tally of 701 wickets. He started by dismissing West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite early on, and later contributed to the dismissals of Alick Athanaze and Jason Holder.
England's captain Ben Stokes also played a pivotal role, not only with the ball but also in achieving a significant milestone in his career. Stokes became only the third player in Test cricket history, after Garry Sobers and Jacques Kallis, to achieve the dual feat of scoring over 6,000 runs and taking more than 200 wickets.
The day saw England’s dominance highlighted by their relentless bowling attack, backed by stellar performances from debutant Gus Atkinson and the seasoned Anderson. Atkinson, who had already made headlines with a remarkable 7-wicket haul in the first innings, continued to trouble the West Indies batsmen, further solidifying England's grip on the match.
Earlier in the day, England had resumed their innings at 189-3, already holding a lead of 68 runs, and added to it swiftly against a struggling West Indies bowling attack. Despite a brief resurgence from spinner Gudakesh Motie, who dismissed Stokes and Root in quick succession, England's lower order, led by Jamie Smith’s aggressive batting, extended their advantage.
Smith’s innings of 70, supported by valuable contributions from Zak Crawley, Joe Root, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook, ensured England's dominance throughout the day. Smith's aggressive approach, including two sixes, underscored his selection as wicketkeeper ahead of Ben Foakes, proving vital in pushing England towards a commanding position.
As the match heads towards its conclusion, England remains poised for a resounding victory, aiming to replicate their historic performances of the past against the West Indies. The third day promises more action as England looks to wrap up the match and take a decisive lead in the series.