Cricket-Root, Brook shine as England build lead over Windies

LONDON (Reuters) – Joe Root made a serene 68 at a sun-kissed Lord’s on Thursday as England moved onto 293-6 and extended their lead over West Indies to 172 runs at lunch on the second day of the first test.

England lost the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes but Root showed good touch before being bowled by a fine-turning delivery from spinner Gudakesh Motie just before the interval.

Brook batted with attacking intent and reached his 12th fifty in 13 tests before getting in a tangle over a short ball from Alzarri Joseph and skying a catch to wicketkeeper Joshua de Silva.

Stokes was bowled by Motie for four with another ball that span sharply and struck the England captain’s middle stump.

Root eased to his 62nd test fifty and 23-year-old Jamie Smith started cautiously before whipping Jayden Seales through mid-wicket and driving him through mid-off for consecutive fours.

Smith was 16 not at the interval with Chris Woakes on five.

England fast bowler Gus Atkinson took seven wickets on his debut to help bowl the touring side out for 121 on the first day.

(Reporting by Ed Osmond, editing by Ken Ferris)