Defiant Brathwaite frustrates England

KraiggBrathwaiteCropped

England's progress on day four of the second Test was checked by the stubborn resistance of centurion Kraigg Brathwaite as West Indies built a slender lead.

Having resumed on 373-6 at St George's, the tourists went on to reach 464 to claim a 165-run first-innings advantage, with Joe Root's 182 not out the highlight.

James Anderson (1-27) - whose ill-advised call for a second run ultimately denied Root a shot at a double hundred - claimed the early wicket of Devon Smith (2), but Darren Bravo (69) and Brathwaite (101 not out) combined for a 142-run stand to put the contest back in the balance.

Stuart Broad (1-23) did get Bravo out before the end of play, but West Indies - who ended on 202-2 - will pick up on the final day with Brathwaite and Marlon Samuels (22 not out) looking to build on the hosts' lead of 37 runs.

England lost Jos Buttler (13) early in proceedings as he was stumped after striding down the wicket to take on Devendra Bishoo (4-177).

Chris Jordan then had to go after a lengthy review of a run-out decision when he was on 16, while the impressive Root brought up his 150 soon after.

Bishoo's next victim was Stuart Broad, his four-ball innings ending scoreless after he top-edged an attempted sweep and found the hands of Smith.

With partners running out, Root smashed Bishoo down the ground for a six in a bid to get to 200 in quick time, but was scuppered after a poor call for a second run from Anderson (2) left the latter short of his ground.

A disgruntled Root did little to hide his disappointment as he trudged off, with Anderson presumably having some explaining to do in the dressing room.

But England's record wicket-taker was quick to make amends, sending Smith's stumps flying with the 16th ball of the innings.

Bravo and Brathwaite provided more stern opposition, though, building a crucial partnership to give the Windies a foothold, before Broad accounted for the former.

That proved to be the final breakthrough of Friday's play for England, with Samuels steadying the ship alongside Brathwaite, who had to survive a late lbw appeal off Jordan (0-41) before completing his century.

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