MANCHESTER: A grafting century from Dom Sibley and an increasingly belligerent one by Ben Stokes put England in control on day two of the second Test against West Indies yesterday.
Opener Sibley completed his second test century shortly before lunch, eventually falling for 120, while Stokes cut loose after it before going for 176 as England declared on 469-9.
Sam Curran trapped West Indies opener John Campbell lbw for 12 in a tricky session before stumps to leave the visitors on 32-1 – 437 runs in arrears.
England begun the day on 207-3 with Sibley and Stokes well set.
They had to dig in before lunch with the ball swinging and added only 57 to their overnight score before the interval.
Sibley reached his century when he hit fast bowler Alzarri Joseph back down the ground for three.
He faced 372 balls and struck only five boundaries.
Stokes, who had been restrained during his 260-run stand with Sibley, reached his 10th test century shortly after lunch and immediately went on the attack with some majestic hitting.