Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood save England from embarrassment versus West Indies

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 24 March 2022

Leach, Mahmood save England from embarrassment

Jack Leach and Saqib Mahmood put on a near-miraculous last-wicket partnership to take England to 204 all out at stumps on day one of the third Test against West Indies.

Jack Leach and Saqib Mahmood have saved England from embarrassment on day one of the third Test match against West Indies.

At 114-9 after just 53.2 overs, England faced the possibility of ending the opening three sessions trailing their hosts, but Leach and Mahmood put on 90 for the final wicket.

Mahmood made 49 before playing onto his stumps in the final over, missing out on the chance to record his maiden first-class fifty, while Leach ended unbeaten on 41.

Overall, England will be disappointed with a total of 204, but Leach and Mahmood were the two highest scorers in the innings, the first time that a number 10 and 11 had achieved such a feat in Test cricket since 1885.

Of the first seven batsmen, only Alex Lees (31) reached double figures, with Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow both being dismissed for ducks.

Chris Woakes (25) and Craig Overton (14) deserve a special mention for their respective efforts, but the day will be remembered for the resilience of Leach and Mahmood.