Moeen Ali picked up two wickets in two balls – and finished with 4-36 – as he and Mark Wood triggered a spectacular West Indies collapse on the second day of the third Test at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet.
The Worcestershire all-rounder came into the attack with the West Indies seemingly building a strong reply after bowling England out for 277 today.
He struck twice in his fourth over and, with Wood’s pace to hot to handle, the Windies nose-dived to 154 all out to earn England a first innings lead of 123.
Moeen made the first breakthrough with the wicket of West Indies stand-in captain Kraigg Braithwaite (12) with 57 on the board.
Braithwaite aimed a big hit on the leg side and perished to a good catch by Jimmy Anderson at deep mid wicket.
The next ball brought more joy for Moeen as the other opener, John Campbell (41), was undone by a fine flighted delivery and was trapped lbw.
Campbell reviewed the decision but replays showed the ball to be going on and hitting the stumps.
Darren Bravo survived the hat-trick ball to leave 31-year-old Moeen with figures of 2-7 at that juncture in play.
Wood then caused all sorts of problems with his extra pace and the Windies lost four wickets to the Durham player in reaching three figures.
But Moeen then returned to the attack and got back amongst the wickets as Keemo Paul (9) took a stride forward and was stumped by Jonny Bairstow.
His fourth scalp was Alzarri Joseph (2) who fell victim a fine catch by Stuart Broad running back from mid off.
Wood ended with 5-41 – his first five wicket haul in Test cricket.
England lost their last six wickets for 46 in the opening session of the day with Moeen dismissed for 13.
One-time Worcestershire overseas player Kemar Roach continued his fine form with another four wickets.
