England fans were forced to duck for cover after Shamar Joseph's stunning six sent roof slates tumbling down onto the crowd below.
Day three of the second Test match got underway at Trent Bridge with England needing to respond to the tourists’ impressive fight back under clear blues skies on day two. Friday marked the West Indies’ best day of the series so far by a long way, and they resumed the day on 351-5, trailing by just 65 runs and in good position to claim a first-innings lead.
And England began the day bowling well, with Jason Holder and Kevin Sinclair removed early on. Chris Woakes then removed Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales, meaning England needed only one wicket to finish off the tourists.
But things soon began to turn just before lunch as the West Indies capitalised on some negative tactics from the hosts. Joshua Da Silva pushed on for the West Indies alongside number eleven Shamar Joseph. The wicketkeeper, who made his only Test century against England during Joe Root’s final Test as captain in 2022, made a brilliantly judged 82 not out to usher his team to 457 all out.
Joseph hit five fours and two sixes, as Stokes was guilty of being too defensive, spreading the field wide as he effectively gave up on getting Da Silva out. He protected Joseph well, allowing him to settle into his work, and collected enough boundaries to chip away at England’s buffer.
He brought up his half-century with a wonderful flowing six off Mark Wood, who hit 97mph on Friday, and used the pace to his advantage to carve six more over deep third.
Joseph then deepened the frustration as he put his side ahead with six more, as he cracked the roof tiles of the Larwood and Voce tavern at the ground, taking with it a chunk of the slates which slid down onto innocent spectators below.
Those in the crowd covered their heads as the wreckage came tumbling down, though no one appeared to be hurt in the incident. Many stood with the arms aloft in appreciation of the shot, signalling they were okay.
The dazzling hit and display from Joseph helped put West Indies ahead of their English opponents, taking the West Indies to a first innings lead of 41. Mark Wood bagged Joseph to end the innings before lunch.
But certainly the most memorable moment from the morning's events was the sensational hit from Joseph.
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