Ben Stokes steps out to smack Kemar Roach for a huge six at Old Trafford

The second Test between England and the West Indies is interestingly poised with the hosts looking for victory to level the series on the final day. The Caribbeans lost their last six wickets for just 46 runs late on the fourth day to open the game up and England sent Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes clearly showing intent to score quickly. Though Buttler got out early, Stokes continued playing his strokes.

After ending the day at 37/2, the home team needed to score quick runs in order to give themselves enough time to bowl the West Indies. And Ben Stokes was up for the task from the word go. After picking up a couple of singles in the first three deliveries, he slapped a slower ball from Kemar Roach through extra cover. However, what followed next was least expected.

After being smacked for a four off a slower and short of a length delivery, Roach went a bit full this time. Stokes anticipated it and stepped out only to hit the ball out of the ground. He smoked it into the stands despite most of the fielders standing at the boundary. But the ball was timed so well by the batsman that the long-off fielder had no option but to only fetch the red cherry from the empty stands.

Here’s the video:

West Indies under pressure

As far as the match is concerned, West Indies will be under immense pressure to save the match. They were in a brilliant position on the fourth day at 242/4 but the second new ball saw Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad running through their lower-middle order and this is where England sniffed a chance of winning the game.

None of the three-half-centurions, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase and Shamarh Brooks, could kick on and play a big knock like Ben Stokes did in the first innings. It will be interesting to see how the tourists fare in their second essay as time becomes crucial to save the match for them and keep the lead intact in order to retain the Wisden Trophy.