LAWRENCE BOOTH AT EDGBASTON: England's hopes of the whitewash many regarded a formality were dealt a blow by three late wickets as West Indies fought back on a topsy-turvy Third Test opener.

England were pegged back by a resurgent West Indies as the hosts ended day one on 38-3 after a fascinating opening day at Edgbaston.

RICHARD GIBSON: Until Friday night, Flintoff had not taken charge of a professional side, but neither had Brendon McCullum overseen a first-class match when Rob Key made him Test coach.

LAWRENCE BOOTH: The sledgehammer comes in the form of Mark Wood, who - per Ben Stokes - 'has it in the tank' to reach 100mph after a bone-shuddering performance at Trent Bridge.

England captain Stokes saw his Durham team-mate clock a delivery of 97.1mph last week against West Indies in Nottingham.

RICHARD GIBSON: Stokes was referring to the wickets column in relation to the damage he might do, after the England fast bowler's luckless figures of two for 88 in Nottingham.

LAWRENCE BOOTH: Brook has been touted as a replacement for Jos Buttler, who spoke to Rob Key on Monday as part of the ECB managing director's review of the limited-overs set-up.

RICHARD GIBSON: It was a delivery that threatened to slice Mikyle Louis in two that drew the biggest gasp during the most exhilarating, breathtaking, sustained display of fast bowling in this country.

Ollie Pope has urged England to turn their series victory over West Indies into a winning habit as they go in search of a whitewash in the third Test.

RICHARD GIBSON: There is an acceptance within the ECB hierarchy that player wages must rise significantly if they want to attract the world's top short form talent.

Since taking over at Wrexham in 2021, the American pair have overseen the Welsh club secure back-to-back promotions to move out of non-league football and into League One.