Leach and Mahmood rescue England on extraordinary first day in Grenada

SCORECARD | WTC STANDINGS

A top-order collapse had seen England slump to 67/7 after being put in to bat in Grenada, with only opener Alex Lees reaching double figures among the recognised batters.

But numbers eight to eleven added 137 runs to frustrate the West Indies as England reached 204 by the time Saqib Mahmood inside-edged onto his own stumps in the final over of the day.

Mahmood fell just one run short of a first half-century in first-class cricket, with the resolute Jack Leach unbeaten at the other end on 41*.

West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite won the toss in Grenada and decided to have a bowl – a decision influenced by a surface at the National Cricket Stadium that appeared to have a bit more grass on it than in the previous two drawn Tests.

And England were soon under significant pressure when Kyle Mayers, returning to the side in place of the squad’s only recognised spinner Veerasammy Permaul, took the scalps of Zak Crawley (7) and Joe Root (0).

The early departure of the England captain put the middle-order under pressure in a manner they haven’t faced so far on tour, and the quality of the West Indies’ pace bowlers ensured that the test was not passed.

The impressive Jayden Seales removed Dan Lawrence leg before to spark a collapse either side of lunch, as five wickets fell for 21 runs in the space of 12.1 overs.

The excellent Alzarri Joseph and Kemar Roach joined Jayden Seales in running through England’s batting line-up, and when Ben Foakes was clean-bowled by Seales it appeared that a first-innings score below 100 was on the cards.

But one of the reasons given for England’s selection of Chris Woakes for this series was his ability to bat at number eight, and the 33-year-old set the tone for the remainder of England’s innings with a controlled 25.

The departure of Craig Overton (14) didn’t do much to change the pattern of play, as Leach and Woakes put together a ninth-wicket partnership of 24 – the biggest of the innings at that stage.

England’s effort with the bat appeared to be approaching a close with Leach and number 11 Mahmood coming together at the crease when Woakes was bowled by Seales just after tea with the score at 114/9.

But a hugely frustrating spell of the game for the home players, coaches and fans alike saw England add a further 90 runs for the final wicket.

The stand was almost four times as high as any other throughout the innings, with Leach 41* and Mahmood 49 finishing as comfortably the two top-scorers for their team on the day.

And the only sour note for England’s final-wicket pair was that Mahmood missed out on a deserved 50 when he inside-edged part-timer Jermaine Blackwood onto his own stumps to bring the day’s play to a close.