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Birmingham, June 21 — England found themselves in early trouble on the opening day of the first Test against West Indies at Edgbaston, but a resilient counter-attack led by Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope rescued the hosts from a top-order collapse. The pair stitched together a crucial partnership after England lost three early wickets, helping the side finish the day at 261 for 6.
The match, part of the West Indies tour of England 2024, marks the beginning of an important summer for England, with the red-ball squad aiming to bounce back after a string of inconsistent performances.
England’s Top Order Falters Early
After winning the toss and opting to bat first on what looked like a good batting surface, England’s hopes were quickly dented. Zak Crawley, who has shown flashes of brilliance in recent outings, was bowled for just 8 runs by a sensational in-swinging delivery from Kemar Roach. Roach continued to impress, striking again by removing Joe Root cheaply.
Root, England’s most experienced batsman, misjudged a delivery and edged it to the slip cordon for just 11. When Harry Brook fell for 9, caught at gully trying to drive a ball outside off, England were staring at collapse at 45/3 within the first session.
Duckett Leads England’s Fightback
With pressure mounting, Ben Duckett stepped up with an assertive yet composed innings. Batting at No. 3, Duckett countered the West Indies bowlers with a flurry of strokes, displaying impeccable timing and footwork. His innings was filled with boundaries square of the wicket, and he was especially dominant against anything short or wide.
Duckett reached his half-century off just 60 balls, signaling England’s intent to play aggressive cricket even under duress. His ability to rotate the strike and maintain pressure on the bowlers was critical in turning the tide of the session.
Before being dismissed for 78 off 96 balls, Duckett had laid the foundation for a fightback that ensured England would not fold meekly. His knock was his highest Test score since the 2023 Ashes and a timely return to form.
Pope Holds Fort with Grit and Class
While Duckett counterattacked, Ollie Pope played the anchor role. Cautious early in his innings, Pope’s defensive technique helped him blunt the new ball and settle into rhythm. He weathered some testing spells from Alzarri Joseph and Jason Holder before gradually opening up.
Pope’s knock was marked by stylish cover drives and nimble footwork, especially against the spinners. He notched up his 12th Test half-century and looked well-set for a big one before edging a wide delivery to the keeper on 68. His calm presence at the crease was vital to England’s recovery after their early collapse.
West Indies Quick Bowlers Impress
The West Indies cricket team, despite letting the game drift in the middle session, had a promising day overall. Kemar Roach was the pick of the bowlers, finishing the day with 3 for 52 in 17 overs. His ability to generate swing and maintain pressure in long spells reminded fans of his vintage spells from previous tours.
Alzarri Joseph bowled with pace and aggression, unsettling batters with steep bounce and pace off the wicket. While Joseph only picked up one wicket, he troubled the English middle order consistently.
Jason Holder and Jayden Seales supported well, though Seales was slightly wayward with his line and length at times. Roston Chase, the lone spinner, bowled economically but without much penetration.
Stokes and Bairstow Add Late Runs
After the departure of Duckett and Pope, it was up to captain Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow to carry the innings forward. The duo added a vital 58-run stand for the sixth wicket. Bairstow looked solid and played fluently through the leg side but fell late in the day for 36, edging behind off Roach.
Stokes remained unbeaten at stumps on 39, showing restraint and discipline. With the lower order to follow, including Chris Woakes and Mark Wood, England will look to push their total beyond 300 on Day 2.
Scorecard Summary (Day 1)
England: 261/6 in 90 overs
- Ben Duckett: 78 (96)
- Ollie Pope: 68 (134)
- Jonny Bairstow: 36 (58)
- Ben Stokes: 39* (81)
- Kemar Roach: 3/52
Full scorecard here: England vs West Indies, 1st Test – Cricbuzz
Analysis: Balanced Contest Ahead
With six wickets down and 261 runs on the board, the match is finely poised. The pitch has shown some early seam movement but appears good for batting once the ball gets older. The second day will be crucial for both teams—England will aim to push past 350, while West Indies will hope to clean up the tail quickly and respond strongly with the bat.
This series holds significance for both teams. England are aiming to reset their red-ball fortunes following an inconsistent period in Test cricket. Meanwhile, the West Indies are searching for a series win in England—something they haven’t achieved since 1988.
What’s Next?
The second day at Edgbaston promises to be decisive. If Ben Stokes and the tail can add 70–100 runs, England will be in a commanding position. However, the West Indies bowling attack is still fresh and will be gunning for early wickets.
The visitors’ response with the bat will be equally important, as the pitch is expected to flatten out slightly under sunny skies forecast for Day 2.
What This Means for the Series
This Test opener sets the tone for what promises to be a tightly contested series. England, trying to rebuild after a mixed run in Test cricket, are banking on youth and aggression. The West Indies, meanwhile, are eager to prove themselves overseas and will take heart from their Day 1 performance.
The batting of Duckett and Pope reflects England’s commitment to playing proactive cricket, while the West Indies’ bowling unit remains as threatening as ever.
With four more days to play, and both teams looking evenly matched, cricket fans are in for a thrilling contest.
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