Ben Stokes smashed an unbeaten 89 while Joe Root brought up his 150 (batting on 151) as England strengthened their position on Day II of the second Test at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.

At lunch on Thursday, England were 369/3 with the West Indies feeling the heat.

Root and Stokes put on 125 for the fourth wicket in the 26.1 overs bowled in the first session of Day II. Playing such an innings of impact after a fairly long time, Stokes was severe on the bowlers with his 89 runs coming off only 92 deliveries.

The grit he had shown in the first innings of the previous Test was indication enough of Stokes regaining his form and rhythm. On this occasion, Stokes was at the top of his game with skipper Root holding up one end.

“To have the discipline and the approach to the way he’s going about his business is a real example to everybody else in our side and in English cricket about how to go about playing Tests,” England batting coach Marcus Trescothick said about Root after the skipper reached his 25th Test century on Day I.

Brief scores: England 369/3 (J. Root 151 batting, B. Stokes 89 batting) vs West Indies. At lunch, Day II

(Written with agency inputs)