LONDON: Rain washed out the whole of the third day’s play between West Indies and England in the second Test at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Persistent rain, which ensured the pitch and square were fully covered, meant there was no play before lunch, with England looking to level a three-match campaign at 1-1.
Star all-rounder Ben Stokes top-scored with 176 on Friday and shared a partnership of 260 for the fourth wicket with opener Dom Sibley, who made a painstaking 120, as England piled up 469-9 declared after being sent into bat.
“It’s not ideal, turning up today with the weather around,” Stokes told Sky Sports on Saturday. “It’s looking like we’ll have to take 19 wickets in two days.
“But the wicket has offered something throughout the whole Test so far, so we just need to make sure we can expose that. And we know that once we get on a roll, anything is possible with the bowling attack we have.”
Before Friday’s close, Sam Curran had John Campbell lbw, with West Indies set to resume on 32-1.
England are looking to bounce back after a four-wicket loss in the first Test at Southampton last week in a campaign that marks international cricket’s return from the coronavirus lockdown.
Brief Scores: England 1st Innings 469-9 dec (B Stokes 176, D Sibley 120; R Chase 5-172)
West Indies 1st Innings (overnight: 32-1)
