Simmons challenges batsmen to rescue Windies after Broad heroics

Manchester, July 27: Phil Simmons has challenged his West Indies batsmen to come to the rescue, calling for a "big hundred" after Stuart Broad put England on course to regain the Wisden Trophy at Old Trafford.

The magnificent Broad (6-31) took four wickets in the morning session on day three of the decisive third Test as England bowled the tourists out for 197.

Rory Burns (90), Dom Sibley (56) and Joe Root (68 not out) then piled on the runs before England declared on 226-2, setting the Windies 399 to win.

Broad, who struck a rapid half-century on Saturday (July 25), removed John Campbell and nightwatchman Kemar Roach late in the day on Sunday (July 26) to take his tally of Test scalps to 499 and leave Jason Holder's side deep in the mire on 10-2.

Rain looks set to hold England up in their victory charge on Monday, but head coach Simmons wants to see the Windies put up a fight whenever they are able to take to the field over the final two days.

STUMPS:
WI 10/2
Brathwaite 2* Hope 4*

Broad 2/8
Target 399#Rally #WIReady #ENGvWI #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/uDNouBIzZD

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) July 26, 2020

He said: "We haven't had any centuries in this series, so I'm always going to be putting pressure on them to go out there and get it.

"The wicket is still a good wicket to bat on, so they have to set themselves targets of getting a big hundred.

"Tomorrow is only the fourth day, so we have a lot of time to bat, we've got to show that determination to get big scores."

West Indies wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich took a nasty blow to the face when trying to take a short ball from Shannon Gabriel and was replaced by Joshua Da Silva, but Simmons revealed there was no serious damage done.

He said of Dowrich's injury: "I think he was lucky it came off the glove first. He has a little cut on the inside of the lip, but no damage to the teeth.

"It's just a cut and it's been sealed up by the doctor. I guess now all he has is a big headache."