England’s Root and Stokes Steady Ship After Early Wicket Collapse

Joe Root and Ben Stokes mounted a resilient fightback for England, reaching lunch at 157-5 on the second day of the third Test against the West Indies at Edgbaston. Root remained unbeaten on 58, while Stokes scored an assertive 48 not out, steering England from a precarious 38-3 to within 125 runs of the visitors’ first-innings total of 282.

Root’s 63rd Test half-century came after surviving an lbw appeal on 10, while Stokes’ aggressive innings included some powerful strokes, contributing to a century partnership off 128 balls. Despite losing Ollie Pope and Harry Brook early in the session, the experienced duo’s counter-attack ensured a productive morning for England, who have already secured the series with wins in the first two Tests.