England vs West Indies, 2nd Test, Day 3, As it happened: Rain washes out third day of Manchester Test

England vs West Indies highlights 2nd Test Day 3 at Old Trafford: Persistent rain in Manchester has washed out Day 3 of the Old Trafford Test in Manchester. In a brief summary of the match, England declared their innings after scoring 469 runs with Dom Sibley and Ben Stokes scoring centuries. It was another great display from Stokes, who smashed his 10th Test ton at Old Trafford. The all-rounder scored 176 runs in 356 balls registering his longest innings in terms of balls faced. England struck timely with the wicket of Windies opener John Campbell, whom Sam Curran removed in his first over of the innings. West Indies finish on 32/1, and they will be trailing England by 437 runs when play resumes on Day 4.FOLLOW HIGHLIGHTS OF ENGLAND vs WEST INDIES 2nd TEST DAY 3:

20:40 hrs IST

Day 3 Washed Out

No surprises there. We have been dreading this news for the entire day and it has come. Day 3 of the second Test has been washed out without a ball bowled. It’s all down to the next day, which looks promising weather-wise. The sun is expected to be out for the most part of the day tomorrow and it will be a crucial day for England. Picking 19 wickets in two days is quite a task. And remember, the onus is on England as all West Indies need is a draw to not lose the test series. On that note, we take your leave, with a belief that we’ll have a cracker of a contest on Day 4, a Sunday.

20:10 hrs IST

Two sessions washed out on Day 3

It’s the same old story, folks. We are into the scheduled tea break,meaning the first two sessions on Day 3 have been washed out. Like we predicted, no play so far and it will take no less than a miracle to ensure a ball is bowled today. The two teams continue to enjoy the break from the dressing rooms. Truth be told, all eyes should be on Day 4.

19:40 hrs IST

Closing in on another session being washed out

Well, there’s nothing new to add. Things continue to look dull at the Old Trafford. We’re half an hour away from what would have been the end of the second session. The light isn’t good either, so there’s a fair chance play might be called off a lot earlier than the scheduled close of play.

18:32 hrs IST

Archer fined, clear to play next Test

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has taken strict action against fast bowler Jofra Archer for breaching the team’s bio-secure protocols ahead of the second Test against West Indies. ECB informed that it has fined Archer and also issued a written warning to the bowler. Archer was withdrawn from the squad for the second Test match after he admitted to going home ahead of the match at Old Trafford.

18:10 hrs IST

Rain persists at the Old Trafford

It’s still raining in Manchester and the longer it does, the closer we are to an early stumps without a ball being bowled. We’ll be extremely lucky to have any play at all on Day 3.

17:32 hrs IST

Opening session washed out

Like we predicted, rain has washed out the opening session on Day 3 of the second Test between England and West Indies and if the current scenes are anything to go by, the remaining two sessions are expected to get the same treatment.

17:12 hrs IST

While we wait...

‘It’s like riding a bike, you still remember it’: Swann believes game rust no problem for spinners: Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann is certain that spinners will not have much trouble adapting to the new rules, that suggest the ban of saliva and maintaining social distancing. Even though fast bowlers are the ones to suffer the most without the use of saliva on a ball, spinners are expected to face their share of issues with the new rule as saliva helps in providing drift on the ball. Full story here.

16:35 hrs IST

It continues to rain in Manchester

There isn’t much update to give out, except that the West Indies bunch are looking quite happy with the rain. After being on the field for that long, there’s nothing like a day’s rest. On a separate note, how good were England yesterday? Stokes and Sibley led the way as England posted a strong 469/9 declared. In case you missed the second day’s, our report will keep you covered.

16:00 hrs IST

When can we expect some action?

To be honest, your guess is as good as ours. Based on the current forecast, we should be extremely lucky if we get a game, let’s say, after tea. But the good news is, the forecast for the remaining two days looks good. Given today’s rain, England may still fancy their chances of levelling the series, unless West Indies bring out a spirited performance with the bat. If they manage to draw this, they will assure that the series is not lost.

15:34 hrs IST

The weather in Manchester

It’s that time of the year when the English weather is not kind to cricket matches. Remember this time last year, when four of the 45 World Cup league matches were washed out. Well, that’s how the weather works there - extremely erratic - especially in Manchester. One moment it’s sunny, the other it’s pouring down. However, it’s been a lot worse Saturday with the forecast not looking promising at all. Won’t be surprised if we don’t get a single ball today.

15:14 hrs IST

Covers on

 

15:00 hrs IST

It’s raining in Manchester

Just as we feared. The latest update on Old Trafford say that it is raining there, which pretty much confirms that there will be a delay to start the proceedings on Day 3.

14:45 hrs IST

Stokes backs Archer

“We really need to be there to support Jofra right now. Obviously he’s a big talking point and he is by himself because of everything else going on at the moment,” Stokes was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

14:20 hrs IST

Sachin Tendulkar backs Broad to come good

Former Indian cricketer and legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar has backed Stuart Broad, saying that the England bowler has plenty of things to show on the field. “There is a spring in @StuartBroad8’s walk and I have a feeling that he is out on the field with plenty to show. #ENGvWI,” Sachin tweeted.

14:10 hrs IST

All eyes on Stuart Broad

England pacer Stuart Broad did not pick up a wicket but his spell with the new ball was very impressive. With rain and overcast conditions set to rule Day 3, he could be a handful.

14:00 hrs IST

Weather update

It does not look good today. There is more than 60% chances of rain in the first two hours of play and that will only come down to 50% in the afternoon session. We will be lucky if we get play in the first three hours.

13:50 hrs IST

‘England’s best player’

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan lauded Stokes and called him “England’s best player”.

“England’s best player England’s best fielder England’s most impactful bowler England’s best batsman at the moment delivers once again @benstokes38 is a freak ... nothing he cannot do #TestCricket #ENGvWI,” Vaughan tweeted.

13:40 hrs IST

Day 2 recap

Overnight batsman Dom Sibley and Ben Stokes completely their centuries to put England in command. Stokes finished with 176 but after their dismissal West Indies made a decent comeback in the match through off-spinner Roston Chase who ended with a five-wicket haul. England declared their innings at 469 for 9. In reply, West Indies lost opener John Campbell to Sam Curran and reached stumps at 32 for 1.

13:30 hrs IST

Day 3

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of Day 3 of the second Test match England and West Indies at Old Trafford in Manchester