England Fight Back with Half-Centuries to Establish Lead in Second Test

England's batsmen put up a strong fightback on the third day of the second Test against West Indies at Trent Bridge, reaching 248-3 and establishing a lead of 207 runs. Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook all made half-centuries to bolster England's position.

Duckett, who scored 76, provided a solid foundation with 11 fours before being trapped lbw by Alzarri Joseph. Pope, who had scored a century in the first innings, contributed 51 before being caught at gully by Kevin Sinclair off Joseph.

Brook, however, proved to be the most resilient of the English batsmen, remaining unbeaten on 71. He and Joe Root, who was 37 not out at the close, forged an unbroken stand of 108 to guide England to a commanding position.

West Indies had earlier taken a first-innings lead of 41 thanks to an entertaining last-wicket partnership of 71 between Joshua Da Silva and Shamar Joseph. Da Silva finished unbeaten on 82, including three sixes, while Joseph hit two maximums, one smashing tiles on the pavilion roof, in his 33 before being caught by Gus Atkinson off Mark Wood.

England's bowlers had picked up four wickets in the morning and looked set to establish a first-innings lead before Da Silva and Shamar Joseph guided West Indies to 457 all out.

The match remains finely poised, with England holding a slender advantage heading into the fourth day.

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