England vs West Indies 3rd Test, Day 3: Live score and updates from Edgbaston

15:19 IST:

The second day began with England’s Joe Root and Ollie Pope at the crease. Shamar Joseph provided an early breakthrough for West Indies, dismissing Pope for 10. Harry Brook followed soon after, giving the wicket-keeper a lead of just two runs. Despite these early setbacks, Root remained solid and found a reliable partner in captain Ben Stokes. The West Indies bowlers struggled to maintain the pressure, allowing Root and Stokes to build a crucial partnership. Root surpassed Brian Lara in the all-time Test runs tally, bringing up his 63rd Test fifty in the process. The duo took England past the 50-run mark and continued to accumulate runs with ease, finding gaps for singles and occasional boundaries. After tea, Stokes reached his fifty but soon fell to 54, with Alzarri Joseph breaking the 115-run stand through a well-executed short-ball strategy. Root continued to anchor the innings, accompanied by Jamie Smith, and kept the scoreboard ticking. Root’s innings came to an end on 87 when he was caught in front by Gudakesh Motie, missing out on a well-deserved century. Chris Woakes then joined Smith at the crease, and together they forged a solid partnership, with Smith bringing up his second Test fifty off just 60 balls. Smith and Woakes added 106 runs for the eighth wicket, propelling England into a commanding lead. Smith fell five runs short of his maiden Test century, cleared by Shamar Joseph. Woakes, who brought up his seventh Test fifty, was dismissed for 62. Gus Atkinson provided a late flourish with a 21 off 16 balls before England were bowled out for 376.