In an enthralling first day of the Test match between England and the West Indies, a combination of gritty batting and brilliant fielding has set the stage for an exciting contest. The West Indies set a commendable target with a total of 282 runs, thanks to notable half-centuries from skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and all-rounder Jason Holder.

Joe Root’s spectacular catch dismisses Gudakesh Motie 

In a riveting moment of the match, England’s Joe Root produced a sensational piece of fielding to dismiss Gudakesh Motie for 8 runs; Gus Atkinson’s short delivery forced Motie into an awkward position. Attempting to fend off the ball after momentarily losing sight of it, Motie could only manage a glancing edge. The ball veered off the splice of his bat and appeared destined for the wicketkeeper, who was also scrambling for a catch. Root, stationed at first slip, showcased his sharp reflexes and anticipation. Despite being partially blinded by the wicketkeeper’s presence, Root instinctively raced behind and executed a full-length dive to his right. With remarkable agility, he plucked the ball one-handed just above the ground, securing a catch that left spectators and commentators in awe.

Here is the video:

Joe Root what have you just done!? 😱🤯 pic.twitter.com/SZ5aZ5f7kY

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 26, 2024

Also: ENG vs WI [WATCH]: Mark Wood’s cleans up Kirk McKenzie with an absolute peach on Day 1 of the 3rd Test

England bowlers keep West Indies batsman at bay 

Brathwaite anchored the West Indies innings with a resolute 61 runs off 86 balls, including eight boundaries. Holder provided valuable support with a steady 59 from 112 balls, hitting six fours and a six. Their efforts were instrumental in the West Indies reaching 282 before being all out.

England’s bowlers made significant inroads, with every member of the attack contributing to the wicket tally, except for captain Ben Stokes. Atkinson was particularly impressive, claiming four wickets in the innings at an economy rate of 3.40.

In the third session, England faced a challenging period as they lost three wickets quickly, including that of Ben Duckett, who was one of the key performers in the previous match. Jayden Seales was the standout bowler for the West Indies during this crucial phase, dismissing both Zak Crawley (18 runs) and Mark Wood (0).

Also READ: Fans react as West Indies mount a late fightback to put England under pressure on Day 1 of the 3rd Test

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