Twitter Reactions: After Joe Root’s historic knock, Smith’s 95 puts England in box seat on Day 2 vs West Indies

Joe Root and Ben Stokes. (Photo Source: England Cricket)

The cricket summer is at its peak with England taking West Indies in the last and the final Test of the series being played at Edgbaston. After West Indies made a thrilling start after finishing their first innings score of 282, they rattled the English top order batters as the hosts were reeling at 54/5 at one stage. However, it was Joe Root’s day as the flamboyant batter dug in to bail his side out of trouble on Day 2 of the third Test.

The former Captain stitched a vital 115 run-stand with his current skipper Ben Stokes. Incredibly enough, after scoring his 14th run in the second innings, Root surpassed the legendary Brian Lara’s career tally of 11,953 runs. Moreover, he continued to torment the West Indian bowlers, who are now only behind Sir Alastair Cook (12,472) to become the highest run-getter for England in Tests. As a result, Root eclipsed the 12000-run landmark while on the 60th run as England were just eight runs shy when the scores read 274/7 when he got dismissed on 87.

Besides, youngster Jamie Smith continued his good mojo and pummeled the visitors en route to missing his maiden Test century by just five runs. In what was a final flourish, Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson piloted the home side to an impressive 376 runs to gain a 94-run lead.

In reply, West Indies failed to get going as the job was cut out for England’s pace battery. Leader of the pack, Chris Woakes, struck early in the first over to dismiss the West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite on a duck. Gus Atkinson continued his sublime bowling run and dismissed Kirk Mckenzie to give another dent to the chances of the visitors pushing for a solid start in a bid to set a stiff target for England. Consequently, at the end of the day’s play, West Indies are 33/2 on the board as they still trail by 61 runs. Day 3 looks promising as the visitors will look to fight back to keep the hosts on their toes in the final Test of the series with the hope of clinching a consolation win.

Meanwhile, here’s how the fans reacted to Day 2 of the ENG vs WI third Test:

Jamie Smith shines 🏏
More Root records 📈
Three Lions take charge 🦁
Day Two #ENGvWI highlights 👇

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 27, 2024

Most runs in Test

15921 – Sachin
13378 – Ponting
13289 – Kallis
13288 – Dravid
12472 – Cook
12400 – Sangakkara
12000 – 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝘁*#ENGvsWI pic.twitter.com/U4Ptqg4ol6

— Shailu (@Shailu_15Jul) July 27, 2024

Stumps Day 2| West indies Trail By 61 Runs in 2nd inning 🔥🏏 #WTC25 #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/lDmExxq0nA

— MA Sports (Olympic) (@Muhamma26352674) July 27, 2024

After opting to Bat First West Indies scored 282 followed by England’s 376 runs who also got a lead of 94 runs. West Indies are now trailing by 61 runs at the end of Day 2 at Edgbaston with their score at 33/2 at Stumps 🏏#ENGvWI #WTC25 #Sportify pic.twitter.com/0bwg9ebA9f

— Sportify (@Sportify777) July 27, 2024

England v West Indies
Third Test, Day Two, Birmingham

WI 282 & 33/2
ENG 376
West Indies trail by 61

J Smith 95
J Root 87
C Woakes 62
K Braithwaite 61
J Holder 59
B Stokes 54

G Atkinson 4/67
A Joseph 4/122
J Seales 3/79
C Woakes 3/69 #ENGvWI

— Deepak Nair (@DVNair) July 27, 2024

A great day @Edgbaston/#ENGvWI – we lost 6 overs, in part to S. Joseph feigning deliveries, weather, ball & rings, batters dawdling, & umpires ambling. That aside, 360 runs & 10 wickets; 11-6:50; good weather; great atmosphere; brilliant facilities incl ready to go 🍕

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏝️🏏

— Jon Hayes (@jonboy_avfc) July 27, 2024

Incredible turnaround by @englandcricket today, can’t quite believe how the lads have pulled that back to just shy of 400 runs. #ENGvWI

— Callum West (@Callum1093) July 27, 2024

MOST WICKETS IN A 3 MATCH TEST SERIES ON DEBUT
BAW Mendis vs Ind 26 wt
AV Bedser vs Ind. 24 wt
Gus Atkinson vs WI 21 wt *
SR Clark vs SA 20 wt #ENGvWI

— CR17 (@VKBA1856) July 27, 2024

If test cricket needs relegation, WI should be relegated at first. Pathetic skills at this level, 0 hunger to win anything, lethargic on field etc. That win in Aus is an aberration.
Pain watching them play and even painful to expect them to do better as a touring team. #ENGvsWI

— Abhishek Roy। অভিষেক রায় (@abhishekroy82) July 27, 2024

WI vs Eng are in the 3rd innings of the match on only day 2.

22 wickets have fallen and we are still on day 2.

Tests really might just start finishing faster than ODIs at this rate 😂.

— CricDetox (@CricDetox) July 27, 2024