Brathwaite, Hope tons take Windies 71 ahead

Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope scored big centuries as the Windies got a first-innings lead against England on the second day of the second of three Tests at Headingley on Saturday

Trailing 1-0 in the series, the tourists were 329 for 5 at stumps, 71 runs ahead of England's first-innings total of 258.

Brathwaite, the opening batsman, made 134 and Shai Hope, who scored 147 not out, put on 246 for the fourth wicket. The partnership took off after the two batsmen came together with the Windies at 35 for 3 after James Anderson had dismissed Kyle Hope in the morning.

After the visitors resumed on 19 for 1, Anderson made short work of Devendra Bishoo, the night watchman, and Kyle Hope on his way to brilliant lunch figures of 3 for 10 in 12 overs, having accounted for Kieran Powell on Friday.

But Brathwaite and Shai Hope were rewarded for their watchfulness against Anderson when the grey conditions eased and the sun started to shine.

Brathwaite, who resumed on 13, successfully reviewed lbw decisions on 35 and 46, after getting an inside edge to Stuart Broad and being outside off stump playing a shot to Moeen Ali. The very next ball after Moeen’s appeal was overturned, Brathwaite drove him for six to go to his half-century.

After lunch, Shai Hope completed his half-century when he drove Chris Woakes down the ground for his ninth boundary in 72 balls. Shai Hope did give a chance on 72 when a flick off Moeen flew to short leg where Mark Stoneman could not hold a tough catch.

Joe Root gave the last over before tea to Tom Westley, rather than bowl his own occasional off-spin, and Brathwaite went to his century with another six when he lofted Westley over long-on. It was the 24-year-old’s sixth century in 39 Tests off 189 balls, also including 13 fours.

Shai Hope, 85 not out at tea, went to 99 with a pulled four up off Ben Stokes. The next delivery saw the 23-year-old take a single off Stokes that gave him a maiden century in his 12th Test off 159 balls, including 17 fours.

England eventually broke through with the new ball as Brathwaite's innings ended when he was bowled by a Broad delivery that kept low, and Stokes saw off Roston Chase after that.

Jermaine Blackwood hit four fours in an unbeaten 23-ball 21 as he and Shai Hope walked off with the Windies very much at an advantage.