Chris Woakes defends England's strategy in second Test despite criticism

England all-rounder Chris Woakes defended the team's decision to drop the field back for Joshua Da Silva in an effort to bowl more at No.11 Shamar Joseph. Captain Ben Stokes' strategy, which ultimately did not pay off, faced criticism. Former skipper Michael Vaughan called the decision 'questionable' and suggested it gave West Indies 'a huge chance' in the Trent Bridge Test.

England started well on the third day of the Test, with Woakes taking three wickets (4 for 84 overall) in a 10-over spell, reducing the visitors to 386 for 9, still trailing by 30 runs. However, the plan to target the tail-ender allowed Da Silva to score freely, increasing his score from 44 to an unbeaten 82 in a final-wicket partnership of 71 runs. Da Silva hit three sixes, and Joseph added two of his own before being dismissed by Mark Wood for a 27-ball 33. The pair managed to push West Indies into a 41-run lead.

"It's a period that can cause problems. You just have to commit to the plan you're going with. It's not always going to be perfect," Woakes said after the day's play. "When the field goes out, as a bowler it's easy to think you're not trying to get the set batter out and just think of the number 11. At the same time, you don't want to give away easy boundaries.

"You don't always expect the number 11 to hit a couple into the stands. Fair play to them, they played it pretty well. We committed to it for long enough and eventually got the reward."

Da Silva, who scored 82, said: "I'm not really sure what their plan was. It worked in my favour. Whatever happens in the morning will set up the rest of the Test."

Woakes shared the sentiment that the Test's outcome hinged on the fourth morning. England finished the third day strongly, with an unbeaten century stand between Harry Brook and Joe Root pushing them into a lead of 207 runs with seven wickets in hand.

"I never like to say we're in front in a Test, because half an hour can go against us and we're behind the game again," Woakes said. "The fourth morning will be huge. If that partnership is extended to 150 or 200 then we're taking the game away. If West Indies take quick wickets they will feel ahead again.

"We have to kick on again on Sunday to take the game away from West Indies. Naturally, we want as many runs as possible and there's still two days to play. We want to be bowling at them as much as possible on day five, when the pitch could wear a little. Sunday is a big day for us, to build the lead up to 250 and 300, then hopefully we can make it really big."