North Sound – England were 145 for five in their first innings against West Indies at tea on the first day of the first Test on Tuesday at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua.
At the break, Jonny Bairstow was not out on 35 and Ben Foakes was not out on eight, after the English won the toss, decided to bat, and stumbled to 57 for four at lunch.
Pacer Jayden Seales gave the Windies their only success between lunch and tea after a 67-run stand for the fifth wicket between Stokes and Bairstow.
West Indies had toiled for more than an hour after lunch for a breakthrough when Seales bowled Stokes for 36 with a full-length delivery that ticked the inside edge of the England talismanic left-hander.
But the hosts met further resistance when Foakes came to the crease and batted for almost 40 minutes to tea and put on 30 so far with the resolute Bairstow.
Summarised scores:
ENGLAND 145 for five (Ben Stokes 36, Jonny Bairstow 35 not out, Ben Foakes 21 not out, Dan Lawerence 20, Joe Root 13; Jayden Seales 2-40, Kemar Roach 2-51) vs WEST INDIES.
(AR)