England defeat West Indies By 241 Runs In Second Test
England established an unbeatable 2-0 lead in a three-match series by defeating the West Indies by 241 runs in the second Test at Trent Bridge on Sunday. The West Indies, who were required to score 385 runs to secure the victory, were reduced to 143 all out after losing all 10 wickets in 23 overs on the fourth day. Shoaib Bashir, a 20-year-old off-spinner, achieved a Test-best five wickets in 41 overs. Joe Root (122) and Harry Brook (109) both scored hundreds in England’s second innings, which totalled 425. In reality, the West Indies had a 41-run lead in the first innings after scoring 457 in response to England’s 416. The tourists’ performance was a source of encouragement, as they had been bowled out for low scores on two separate occasions during the first Test at Lord’s, which resulted in a 114-run loss.
Openers Mikyle Louis and Kraigg Brathwaite were removed by Chris Woakes twice using the edge, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir performed a remarkable job bowling 3-8 in 15 deliveries. The only thing left to wonder was if the match would continue till Monday. Kevin Sinclair was outwitted by Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson hit two sixes in three balls, and Bashir claimed the last two wickets to finish at 5-41. The West Indies were defeated by 241 runs at 143 all out. This was all after centuries from Joe Root and Harry Brook, who set the stage for England’s ascent to triumph. With 122, Root surpassed Sir Alastair Cook’s England record by one hundred and thirty-two Test hundreds. Brook achieved his maiden Test tonne in this nation with 109.
Ben Stokes: “Amazing, the comeback we showed after the opening partnership was remarkable, Ten wickets for 70 was exceptional, Bash showed the world what he’s about, change of pace, change of line… top class. In team sport you want a few to stand up but that partnership between Brook and Root last night, toughest batting conditions, got through that, and put pressure back on. We could have got a few more runs in first innings, but in the pressure of fourth innings, 380 was a lot of runs. This week has been great for the progression as a group, but also individuals. Ben Duckett looking to put bowlers under pressure, Joe was Joe, Brooky went out and played the house down. And Woody… someone will pay! He’s not got the rewards this game, but bowling in partnerships, the wickets at the other end… his pace was phenomenal but the skill he has to hit the same area, with batters also thinking there’s one coming at my head. Sure he’ll get his rewards. Woakesy found his rhythm in second spell on day two and led the attack so well, changed the game with that first wicket. Always delivers. External noise about leading the attack hasn’t affected him.”
Kraigg Brathwaite: “Reasonably happy with performance, could have been better with the ball, with the bat, good in the first innings, didn’t follow it in the second. You see the effort from the guys, the fitness is there, got to be much more disciplined. England showed us how to bowl on this pitch, not to get hit square of the wicket. But the guys will learn. Kavem a hundred then a duck, that’s Test cricket. We dropped some crucial catches, that happens. Could be better at line and length, but catches win matches. I wouldn’t have expected that collapse but it’s gone, it’s history. Test cricket is never an easy game. Got to stay tough and keep fighting.”
Ollie Pope, Player of the Match: “We saw last night, it swung and nipped under lights, so Rooty and Brooky were class. Negotiated that and put pressure on when we can. I feel really good about where my game is at, happy with how I’ve played this series, long may it continue.”
Brief scores: England 416 (Ollie Pope 121; Alzarri Joseph 3/98) & 425 (Joe Root 122; Jayden Seales 4/97) beat West Indies 457 (Kavem Hodge 120; Chris Woakes 4/84) & 143 (Kraigg Brathwaite 47; Shoaib Bashir 5/41) by 241 runs
