In a painstaking effort, England opener Dom Sibley took 312 balls to compile his century on Day 2 of the second Test against West Indies at Old Trafford
Cricket fans were in for a Test treat as England opener Dom Sibley took 312 balls to reach his century as the hosts continued to build on their overnight score on Day 2 of the second Test against the West Indies at Old Trafford, Manchester. (More Cricket News)
At Lunch on Friday, England were 264/3 with Sibley and Ben Stokes unbeaten on 101 (316) and 99 (252) runs respectively. They have added 183 (465) for the third wicket in a painstaking partnership which all but deflated Windies bowlers on a seemingly slow pitch. Sibley has hit four fours so far while Stokes has hit nine fours and a six.
The 24-year-old Sibley's hundred, second in eight Tests, is the third slowest England century of the millennium after two by Michael Atherton against Pakistan and West Indies in 2000.
In a fledgling career, the right-handed batsman has scored 513 runs so far with the highest score of 133.
And as expected, fans have a field day on social media, sharing their veritable comments. Here are some reactions:
Overall, it's fifth slowest for England with former captain Nasser Hussain occupying the top spot with a 343-ball ton against South Africa at Durban in 1999. Atherton is second with a 326-ball hundred against at Sydney in 1991. Atherton's other two knocks came against Pakistan (317) at Karachi in 2000 and Windies (315) at The Oval, London in 2000.