West Indies' top-order batting negotiated a testing two-hour period with a combination of luck and skill to reach the lunch interval at 126 for one replying to England's first innings total of 187 on the second day of the second Test of the three-match series at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Friday. Kraigg Brathwaite soldiered through the session in getting to 48 not out, anchoring the home side's effort to bat through the day in pursuit of a significant lead.
New batsman Shai Hope also survived a searching early examination on the seaming track but grew in confidence as the lunch interval approached in getting to an unbeaten 22 in a partnership with fellow-Barbadian Brathwaite which has so far realised 56 runs for the second wicket.