England Dominates as West Indies Falter at Lord's

West Indies struggled to 79-6 at the end of the second day of the first test match against England at Lord's. England, led by half-centuries from Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Jamie Smith, posted 371. James Anderson, in his farewell test, and Gus Atkinson led England's bowling excellence, putting the West Indies under significant pressure.

West Indies limped to 79-6 at the close on the second day of the first test against England at Lord's on Thursday, trailing their hosts by 171 runs and heading for a heavy defeat.

Half-centuries by Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Jamie Smith lifted England to a first-innings total of 371. James Anderson, playing his 188th and last test match, bowled Windies captain Kraigg Brathwaite with a fine delivery that jagged back. Kirk McKenzie, Mikyle Louis, and Kavem Hodge fell cheaply, with a battling partnership between Alick Athanaze and Jason Holder ensuring the game went into a third day.

Anderson dismissed Athanaze for 22, while Gus Atkinson snared Holder for 20 with the final ball of the day, leaving Joshua Da Silva unbeaten on eight. England resumed on 189-3 in the morning and Brook batted with attacking intent, reaching his 12th fifty in 13 tests before skying a catch to wicketkeeper Da Silva off Alzarri Joseph's short ball.

Ben Stokes was bowled by Gudakesh Motie for four, with a sharp ball that struck the England captain's middle stump. Root eased to his 62nd test fifty and looked untroubled until just before lunch when Motie bowled him for 68 with another fine turning delivery.

Jamie Smith, debuting for England, shared a 52-run partnership with Chris Woakes. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson, who took seven first-innings wickets on his debut, fell first ball to Holder. Smith went on the attack, hitting two big sixes and eight fours.

"We are close to a perfect position. We wanted to start the summer strongly and get on the front foot, which we have done. That wicket from the last ball has given us some momentum," Smith told the BBC. "I've always worked towards playing for England, so I'm just taking it all in."

Shoaib Bashir was run out by a brilliant throw from Louis, and Smith became Seales' fourth victim, holing out to McKenzie on the mid-wicket boundary. Anderson did not face a ball in what may be his final innings, but made an impact with a maiden in his last opening spell and a trademark delivery to breach Brathwaite's defenses. Stokes trapped McKenzie lbw for nought, becoming only the third player to take 200 wickets and score 6,000 runs in tests, and also had Louis caught by Smith. Atkinson bowled Hodge, Anderson dismissed Athanaze, and Atkinson caught Holder by Ollie Pope to complete an excellent day for England.

"We are under pressure, it's definitely not an ideal position. It's just a matter of learning from our mistakes, and putting this behind us," Seales said.