|| CF Coreespondent ||

Ben Stokes formidable innings of 176 from 356 bowls accelerated England to a commanding 469/9d position on day two of the second test against West Indies at Old Trafford on Friday.

Earlier, on the first day, Dom Sibley and Stokes managed to uplift the scoreboard for the host sides after a collapse in the beginning.

England started the second day on 207-3 and added only 57 runs in the first session while the Caribbeans stifled the run rate with the help of swing bowling attacked.

Sibley who started the second day with 86 ended his painstaking innings on 120 from 372 bowl, caught by Kemar Roach at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of the off-spinner Roston Chase. It was his second Test century.

With that dismissal, West Indies bowler broke the hefty 260 runs fourth-wicket partnership between Sibley and Stokes.

Ollie Pope missed out when he was lbw for seven to Chase, who celebrated his fourth wicket of the innings.

After the fallen of Sibley, all-rounder batsman Stokes took the charge and scored 176 while facing 356 bowls consist of 17 boundaries and two over the rope shots. On the 142.2 over Stokes attempted to reverse-slap pacer Kemar Roach off a length, only managed a tickle through to Dowrich, 395 for six wickets.

After the wicket of Stokes England again saw the downfall of wickets.

Returning to Test cricket Jos Buttler managed to score 40 runs the third-highest scorer for England in the first innings. Butler's dismissal put the scoreboard 426 for eight wickets.

With the wicket of Sam Curran [17 from 39] Chase completed his five-wicket haul. He has taken five for 172 off 44 overs.

England declared their first innings on 469 for nine wickets, where young right-arm off-spinner Dom Bess smashed a 31 run from 26 bowls with three fours and a six and veteran pace bowler Stuart Broad supported him with his 11 runs. Their last wicket partnership of 42 runs took them to a mountain of runs for a must-win match for them.