England back in contention

Leeds, August 28
England battled back into contention on the third day of the second Test against West Indies as Mark Stoneman’s first half-century and captain Joe Root’s unbeaten 45 helped wipe out a sizeable first-innings deficit.
West Indies added 98 runs to their overnight total at a sun-drenched Headingley as they were bowled out for 427 — a lead of 169 — and England were 171/3 at the close, two runs ahead.
England had struggled to 94/3 before Root and Dawid Malan dug in for a 77-run partnership that left the match finely balanced. West Indies skipper Jason Holder, who earlier shared a 75-run partnership with Jermaine Blackwood, removed England opener Alastair Cook for 23 after he and Stoneman put on 58 for the first wicket.
Holder then had Tom Westley caught behind for eight, the England batsman rashly chasing a wide one. When the impressive Shannon Gabriel clattered Stoneman’s off stump with a pearl of a delivery after the opener had played diligently for 52 England still trailed by 75 runs. Had Kyle Hope held a head high catch when Root, on 10, edged Kemar Roach to fifth slip England would have been staring at an unthinkable defeat, having crushed West Indies in a one-sided first Test. But the chance went down and Root, who also successfully reviewed an lbw decision, could make them pay on Monday when England will hope to build a lead.
Brief Scores: England: 258 and 171/3 (Root 45*, Malan 21*); West Indies: 427 (S Hope 147, Brathwaite 134; Anderson 5-76).

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