England stretched their lead to a handsome 250 by tea. Harry Brook and Joe Root made pleasing half-centuries in the morning, as did Smith in the afternoon with an innings that went smoothly through the gears. With the tail for company, Smith eventually moved into Bazball mode, one of the reasons for his selection, depositing one ball from Jayden Seales clean out of the ground and on to the St John’s Wood Rd.

That left West Indies with an extended session to bat, during which they were put under immense pressure by England’s four seamers. They lost six wickets, including Jason Holder to the final ball of the day, the result of Stokes’s fertile cricketing mind. Stokes had almost pulled off a brilliant run-out of Holder from mid-off late in the day, and encouraged Gus Atkinson into a short-ball ploy for the final over, forcing Holder, untroubled until then, to pop a catch to Ollie Pope at short leg.

It was a dramatic end to a session in which West Indies offered diligence but little threat. Anderson bowled two miserly spells, the first of which brought him his 702nd Test wicket, when Kraigg Brathwaite was dismissed in a similar fashion, bowled through the gate, to that of seven years ago, on becoming Anderson’s 500th wicket. In his second spell, Anderson found the edge of Alick Athanaze’s bat for wicket number 703, and was asked to lead the team from the field at the end of play.

• Read Mike Atherton’s verdict on day two

“If you would’ve given us that [match situation] two days ago, we would have bitten your arm off, really,” is the initial reflection from the debutant Jamie Smith, speaking with Sky Sports.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better position and there’s been contributions from everyone.

“It’s been a fantastic few days, I heard a lot about the environment coming into this and to get out there was pretty surreal, so hopefully we can finish well tomorrow.”

“I guess when you’re out there you’re trying to take it all in. Walking out for the anthem and seeing the applause for Jimmy, those things stick with you.

“The long room was a different experience from county cricket. It’s great to be out there, the situation helped when I was coming out [to bat] because the ball was a bit older then and we had a good score on the board.”

Elizabeth Ammon writes: A busy old day and it probably won’t take long in the morning to wrap this up. One last chance to see Jimmy.

The player of the day for England was Jamie Smith, who gave a glimpse of why he’s been favoured with an excellent 70.

England were very efficient with the ball and this all feels like a very routine affair. Indeed, almost a training session. Let’s hope the undercooked West Indies are a bit more cooked next week in Nottingham.

Thanks for your company again. See you tomorrow for what I suspect will be not very many overs.

Ooops, that’s exactly what West Indies did not need. An excellent short ball from Atkinson, Holder can’t ride the bounce and fends it awkwardly to short leg, where Ollie Pope snags the catch.

And that will be stumps. Anderson leads England off the field after what will, almost certainly, be his penultimate day of Test cricket.

Elizabeth Ammon writes: This is all a bit depressing. There is still a chance of a two-day finish with 11 overs left, and they can claim another eight if there’s a chance of a result.

Athanaze is the latest to go. He’d battled hard for 22 but becomes Anderson’s 703rd Test wicket.

It was a wonderful spell with Anderson coming over the wicket and round the wicket and getting it to swing both ways. Classic Anderson and he gets Athanaze by enticing the drive and getting the edge behind.

Looking like the players will get a couple of bonus days off to play golf or do whatever it is they do. They will convene in Nottingham on Monday and train on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Anderson in his new role as a bowling mentor.

Anderson is still on to match the great Shane Warne’s tally of 708 Test scalps too, provided he cleans up from here.

Elizabeth Ammon writes: About an hour of play left and this should now trickle into tomorrow before the inevitable England victory.

It is a bit of a worry just quite how fragile the West Indies batting is. It’s not good for the series, the finances of any of the grounds hosting matches or, more importantly, the global game. If Test cricket is to survive, it needs a strong West Indies, it needs a strong New Zealand, it needs a strong South Africa.

Ravi Shastri thinks Test cricket should only played between six nations, but I’m not sure I agree. There are some huge challenges for Test cricket ahead. There’s no lack of talent in the Caribbean and there is still the interest but it is simple economics — the lure of the franchises is just too much for a lot of players.

I guess for now though, we just enjoy the last knockings of Anderson’s career. Sorry, that was all a bit gloomy wasn’t it.

• Jason Holder: I broke my back for West Indies, now it’s my time to earn

After some entrenched batting from the top order, West Indies are now back in the soup as Mikyle Louis nicks off from the bowling of Stokes before Kavem Hodge chops on a Gus Atkinson delivery in the following over.

At this rate the visiting team may not even make it to a third day. Jason Holder and Athanaze at the crease now.

With his wicket of Kirk McKenzie, Ben Stokes gained entry to an exclusive all-rounders club of 5,000 Test runs, 200 wickets and 100 catches, alongside Garry Sobers, Jacques Kallis and Ian Botham.

It is worth pointing out, too, the astonishing batting averages of both Kallis (55.37) and Sobers (57.78), which would be phenomenal even for exclusive batsmen.

James Anderson’s latest contribution with the willow has also extended his lead at the top of the list of players to not score in a Test innings. Again, some pretty useful names there…

Elizabeth Ammon writes: There are, in theory, 26 overs left today and we stop at 6.30pm even if we haven’t bowled them all.

A bit of a lull here at Lord’s as Mikyle Louis and Alick Athanaze try to rebuild after two early wickets, with Kirk McKenzie trapped in front by Ben Stokes for a duck. Still no sign of Bashir though. A quiet Test match for him.

Elizabeth Ammon writes: Kraigg Brathwaite won’t be sad that Jimmy is retiring – that is the 8th time he’s dismissed him in Test cricket.

The fuller length that Anderson has bowled in this innings has paid off — he was bowling more back of a length in the first innings but this time it’s the perfect length, nips in off the seam and crashes into middle stump.

West Indies have a mountain to climb and one of their most experienced batsmen is now back in the hutch (it’s a pretty posh hut here at Lord’s though).

England on the attack with four slips and Pope under the lid at short leg.

Smith did his job there. He had no choice but to tee off, that is what they wanted him to do and he goes for a very well executed 70 and James Anderson finishes with yet another not out for the 114th time in cricket and that might be the last time he has to ever have his pads on — England might not need to bat again.

They’ve been bowled out for 371 — a lead of 250 — and, to be honest, that’s a lot fewer than I thought the lead would be.

It’s all good fun this isn’t it?

Elizabeth Ammon: Oh my word! Shoaib Bashir has been run out by an extraordinary piece of fielding by Mikyle Louis. A miscued hit to the covers by Jamie Smith and Bashir has been sent on his way thanks to a rocket arm direct hit. The West Indies celebrated that one hard because it was so unexpected.

James Anderson has come to the crease to a warm round of applause – it could well be the last time he bats in professional cricket (or maybe any cricket at all).

Elizabeth Ammon: Gus Atkinson’s shirt from yesterday has already been signed and is in the Lord’s museum (photo courtesy of Sunday Times Cricket Correspondent Simon Wilde).

There is a section of the museum at the moment that is dedicated to England v West Indies series over the years and at the end of the match, it’s almost certain Jimmy’s shirt will go in there as well. If you’ve never been to the MCC Museum it is well worth a visit.

Elizabeth Ammon: I’m starting to think I shouldn’t comment on how well a partnership is progressing because every time I do, there’s a wicket. This time it’s Chris Woakes who has tamely chipped to deep square leg off Jayden Seales who picks up his third.

Also good news for West Indies — Shamar Joseph is back on the field. I think it was probably nothing more than cramp. A chance now to look at Gus Atkinson’s batting — but he goes first ball with a beautiful delivery by Jason Holder that goes straight through him catches the edge and safely pouched by Da Silva. Jamie Smith is in danger of running out of partners and now he really does need to go into top gear and try and get as many as possible. Or Anderson bows out of Test cricket with his first ever century. (seems unlikely I’ll admit)

Elizabeth Ammon: While Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum are looking at their next generation of players, there’s planning for even further in the future going on at the beautiful Jean Paul Getty Estate in Wormsley where there is a youth Test match between England and Sri Lanka taking place.

The England team contains a few familiar surnames — Jaydn Denly, nephew of Joe, opened the batting and Rocky Flintoff, the youngest of Freddie’s two sons, is in the middle order. Farhan Ahmed, the younger brother of Leicestershire and England spinner Rehan, got a red inker as England were bowled out for 247 in reply to Sri Lanka’s 324. England won the preceding one-day series 2-1.

Rocky Flintoff is 16 and is a ridiculously talented young player. He is the spitting image of his dad both in his batting style and even his mannerisms at the crease. He stands and hits the ball very hard and does bowl seam — I am told can hit mid-80s miles per hour but at the moment is recovering from a shoulder injury so hasn’t been bowling for a while. If gambling is one of your vices, you might want to stick a fiver on him playing for England within two or three years — he is, by all accounts, that good.

Elizabeth Ammon: You might be able to tell that I am a big fan of Jamie Smith. Sometimes you watch someone and just know they’ve got something. He is one of them. He and Chris Woakes are doing exactly what they need to do here. Just keeping the scoreboard ticking getting more overs in the legs of the West Indies bowlers and it’s taking its toll — Shamar Joseph is sitting on the turf again and the medical staff have just come out.

It is hard to tell quite what is wrong with Joseph but he really hasn’t had much bowling in the last few months. He’s gone off to get more treatment and you have to wonder if he’ll get through three Tests in as many weeks. Quite a concern for the West Indies camp. He had two balls left of his 15th over which have been bowled by Kraigg Brathwaite.

Elizabeth Ammon: Lunchtime here in NW8. It’s been a fun morning. England are extending their lead at around 4.5 an over but West Indies have plugged away admirably and they’ll feel they’ve had a very good morning. They’ve taken three big wickets — Harry Brook, Ben Stokes and Joe Root — and while England have a very healthy lead, they haven’t absolutely run rampant which was, I suspect, the fear in the West Indies dressing room last night.

We are having our first look at England’s new wicketkeeper batsman Jamie Smith. It’s a nice situation for him, not too much pressure given the match situation and he didn’t have to do too much work with the gloves given the West Indies innings only lasted 41 overs so he should be fresh. He started off pretty watchfully but for those who haven’t watched him much, one of the many attributes he has is being able to go through the gears quickly and he’s started to do that with glorious back-to-back boundaries off Jayden Seales. He’s been joined by Chris Woakes who is a more than handy No8 and he started with a lovely cover drive for four.

Credit to the West Indies though, they’re plugging away and spinner Motie made an immediate impact getting the big wicket of Stokes. The lead is 172 and given England are six down, I don’t think the declaration will come into play. They’ll just keep on batting. It’s a bit of a tail with Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir and James Anderson and one of the things that attracted Smith to the selectors is being able to bat well with the tail and get on with things — one of the reasons they preferred him to Ben Foakes.

And here’s the answer to the question on everyone’s lips. What’s for lunch? Here’s what the players can choose from (lucky chaps)…

Elizabeth Ammon: Ah — some spin for the first time in the match and it’s immediately brought a wicket. Ben Stokes has been bowled by Gudakesh Motie who turned one prodigiously with some lovely loop and dip. It landed in a footmark, Stokes played all round it and it turns past the inside edge into his stumps.

The slow left-arm spinner Motie is not one of the more well known international spinners — this is just his sixth Test match and prior to this he had 22 wickets at 20.86. He’s not played masses of first-class cricket either — 46 matches with 160 wickets. He’s been at the T20 World Cup prior to this series and bowled just one over in the warm-up match last week.

But there was an encouraging sign as the ball exploded off the pitch in a puff of dust. Shoaib Bashir will have liked the look of that.

Elizabeth Ammon: It’s time for a drink at Lord’s and it’s been an entertaining first hour. England have added 51 runs for the loss of one wicket.

Harry Brook became the third half-centurion of the innings but another one who didn’t go on to get a big one. It wasn’t a great shot trying to heave through the leg-side, but it was very wide outside off and went even further down the slope. He got a top edge to give keeper Joshua Da Silva a very easy catch. Still not seen any spin yet.

It’s a full house again at Lord’s and they’re enjoying the sun and warmth.

Champagne corks are flying out of the grandstand on to the outfield — drink responsibly folks.

Elizabeth Ammon: It’s a sea of red at Lord’s today for “Red for Ruth” day, the foundation set up in memory of Ruth Strauss who died of non-smoking related lung cancer. The foundation raises money for research and support for bereaved families.

Sir Andrew Strauss is here working for Sky and the five-minute bell was rung by a bereaved family. There were fireworks too — which is unusual for Lord’s.

The players all have special shirts with red lettering on which will be auctioned off at the end of the match.

On the pitch, Joe Root and Harry Brook have begun well. Still no sign of spin.

England look to have unearthed a gem in Gus Atkinson, whose height — he is 6ft 2in — and speed are valuable assets. But it is the rare “straightness of his run-up and uprightness of his action” that could hold the key to success on winter tours, according to Simon Wilde.

“Gus Atkinson’s stunning debut performance was welcome for multiple reasons. Chiefly, it provided an instant return on the view of the England management that it was time to invest in a new generation of fast bowlers but what should also encourage everyone involved with the team is that he is not a classic English-style bowler and has skills that may translate well to overseas conditions.”

• Read the full piece here

It was a desperately poor showing from the West Indies batsmen yesterday, with Steve James going so far as to say that they played with a “callow ineptitude”.

“There have been some quite brilliant West Indian batsmen to have graced this turf, with Sir Vivian Richards averaging 71.60 from his four Tests here, including 145 on his first Test appearance in 1980, but no one of that sort of class was on show here.”

• Read the full piece here

Elizabeth Ammon: Good morning from Lord’s, where we have a blue sky and sunshine — a glorious day for batting.

England will be looking to bat for most of the day and get a big lead. You have to feel sorry for West Indies, they got the very worst of the conditions yesterday batting under leaden skies. And now they have to bowl under blue skies when the ball will be doing very little.

We spoke to the West Indies legend Jimmy Adams last night. He is the teams batting coach for this series, and he said that it was tough for this inexperienced team against a very strong bowling attack in those conditions. Many of the team have never played in England before other than in last week’s warm-up match.

When play gets underway, it will be the Yorkshire duo of Joe Root and Harry Brook who will be looking to extend their partnership. We are yet to see any spin in this match, but one suspects that will change today.

Hello and welcome to The Times’ live coverage of the second day of England’s Test against West Indies at Lord’s. If you need a reminder of what happened yesterday, look no further than Mike Atherton’s excellent report…

“The cathedral of cricket looked resplendent, with the mellow, sandy coloured pavilion set against the lush green outfield, and the congregation had come out in force, every seat sold. All that remained was for James Anderson to deliver the sermon but for once he fell flat, and it was left to the debutant Gus Atkinson to send them into rapture.”

• Catch up with yesterday’s action here