Windies vs England, 2nd test was a very exciting match but at the end, England won a one-sided contest by 241 runs. We got the result on just the Day-4 of the match. This match saw some remarkable performances, especially from Joe Root, Harry Brook, and the young off-spinner Shoaib Bashir.
England’s Batting Prowess
England’s first innings set a strong tone with a score of 416, thanks to Ollie Pope’s 121, Ben Duckett’s 71, and Ben Stokes’ 69. In their second innings, they made history by scoring 425, marking the first time England has scored over 400 runs in both innings of a Test match. Joe Root dazzled with 122 runs, and Harry Brook impressed with 109, supported by Duckett’s 76 and Pope’s 51. These impressive totals left the West Indies with a massive target of 385 runs.
Shoaib Bashir’s Breakthrough Performance
Shoaib Bashir, at just 20 years and 282 days old, became the youngest England bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a home Test. His outstanding 5 for 41 helped seal the victory for England within four days, securing a 2-0 lead in the Richards-Botham Trophy series.
West Indies’ Response
Despite a solid start by West Indies openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis, who brought the team to 61 without loss, the rest of the lineup faltered. Chris Woakes and Shoaib Bashir’s bowling put the game out of reach for the visitors. Woakes struck first, followed by Bashir’s sharp delivery that dismissed Kirk McKenzie. Brathwaite, the captain, fell for 47, and Bashir continued to dominate, taking key wickets including Kavem Hodge, who had scored a century in the first innings.
All or nothing for Kavim Hodge in the Second Test
England’s Bowling Attack
Chris Woakes and Mark Wood played crucial roles alongside Bashir. Woakes dismissed Brathwaite and Louis, while Wood’s aggressive pace caused problems for the West Indies batsmen. Wood’s delivery to Kevin Sinclair was particularly fierce, leading to a catch at second slip.
Joshua Da Silva, who had been a strong performer with 82 not out in the first innings, attempted to fight back with some aggressive shots. However, Gus Atkinson’s precise bowling dismissed him, further diminishing the West Indies’ hopes. Atkinson also bowled Alzarri Joseph, bringing England closer to victory.
The Final Blows
Jason Holder tried to resist with a quick 37, but Bashir’s skillful delivery knocked out his off stump. Bashir then completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Shamar Joseph, sparking celebrations among the England team.
Standout Performances
Joe Root’s calm and composed innings of 122 was a highlight, moving him up the ranks of all-time Test run-scorers. Harry Brook’s maiden Test century on home soil and his partnership with Root were crucial in setting a formidable total for the West Indies.
England’s lower-order contributions, particularly from Jamie Smith and Woakes, ensured that their second innings total was challenging for the visitors. Despite some resistance from the West Indies bowlers, particularly Jayden Seales with his four wickets, England’s batting depth proved too strong.
England’s comprehensive victory over the West Indies showcased their dominance in both batting and bowling. Shoaib Bashir’s remarkable performance and the consistent contributions from seasoned players like Joe Root and emerging talents like Harry Brook underline England’s strength in Test cricket. With this win, England takes an unassailable lead in the series, promising exciting times ahead for their cricket fans.
Solid performances with the bat in both innings earned OLLIE POPE a well-deserved man of the match award!
Watch the highlights of the 4th day of the match below,
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