England all-rounder Chris Woakes has defended the team’s decision to drop the field back for Joshua Da Silva while bowling more at No.11 Shamar Joseph. Captain Ben Stokes’ plan, which didn’t work came under scrutiny with former skipper Michael Vaughan terming it ‘questionable’ and claiming it as a reason for giving West Indies ‘a huge chance’ in the Trent Bridge Test as well.
The hosts started well on the third day of the Test with Woakes claiming three wickets (4 for 84 overall) in a 10-over spell to leave West Indies at 386 for 9. But the decision to target the tail-ender didn’t help as Joshua Da Silva went from 44 to 82* in a final-wicket partnership of 71 as well. Da Silva was also able to hit three sixes while Joseph struck two of his own. Eventually, the No.11 was dismissed by Mark Wood for a 27-ball 33 but not before the pair had pushed the West Indies into the lead by 41 runs as well.
“It’s a period that can cause problems. You just have to commit to the plan you’re going with. It’s not always going to be perfect,” Woakes said after the day’s play. “When the field goes out, as a bowler it’s easy to think you’re not trying to get the set batter out and just think of the number 11. At the same time, you don’t want to give away easy boundaries. You don’t always expect the number 11 to hit a couple into the stands. Fair play to them, they played it pretty well. We committed to it for long enough and eventually got the reward.”
Meanwhile, Da Silva, who came within 18 runs of his second Test century, said: “I’m not really sure what their plan was. It worked in my favour. Whatever happens in the morning will set up the rest of the Test.”
Meanwhile, the fate of the Test hinging on the fourth morning as it was shared by Chris Woakes. England ended the third day strongly with an unbeaten century stand between Harry Brook and Joe Root by 207 runs with seven wickets in hand as well. The pitch though remains true as England chased 299 in 50 overs on the last day in the previous Test here as well.
“I never like to say we’re in front in a Test, because half an hour can go against us and we’re behind the game again. The fourth morning will be huge. If that partnership is extended to 150 or 200 then we’re taking the game away. If West Indies take quick wickets they will feel ahead again. We have to kick on again on Sunday to take the game away from West Indies. Naturally, we want as many runs as possible and there’s still two days to play. We want to be bowling at them as much as possible on day five, when the pitch could wear a little. Sunday is a big day for us, to build the lead up to 250 and 300, then hopefully we can make it really big,” Chris Woakes concluded.
