Spinner Shoaib Bashir took five wickets as England secured a 241-run victory over West Indies in the second Test at Trent Bridge. This win gave England a 2-0 lead in the series as West Indies were bowled out for 143 while chasing 385 to win. The collapse started after a solid opening partnership of 61 between captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis. Chris Woakes dismissed Louis, leading to a quick fall of wickets including Kirk McKenzie, Brathwaite, Kavem Hodge, and Alick Athanaze.
Bashir played a crucial role in West Indies’ downfall as he trapped Hodge lbw and had Athanaze caught at slip by Joe Root. Kevin Sinclair was caught by Zak Crawley in the slips off Mark Wood, and Gus Atkinson dismissed Joshua Da Silva and Alzarri Joseph. Bashir bowled Jason Holder for 37 and Shamar Joseph for eight, finishing with figures of 5-41. England captain Ben Stokes praised Bashir’s performance, crediting him for fighting back on a pitch that didn’t offer much assistance.
In the first innings, Root scored a stylish century, his 32nd Test hundred, helping England post a total of 425 all out. Harry Brook also contributed with a rapid 109, facing only 132 deliveries and sharing a crucial partnership of 189 with Root. Brook’s innings included 13 fours and ended after being caught by Da Silva off Seales. Stokes and Jamie Smith were dismissed shortly before lunch, but Root held firm, reaching his hundred with a boundary shot.
Root’s innings came to an end as he drove Holder straight to McKenzie at cover, passing West Indian Shivnarine Chanderpaul to become the eighth highest run-scorer in Test cricket. Woakes fell for 12, and Wood was bowled by Seales for a duck. West Indies’ Brathwaite expressed disappointment over losing 10 wickets in a session and acknowledged the team’s inconsistency with both bat and ball. England’s comprehensive victory in the second Test followed an innings win at Lord’s in the first Test.
England’s bowling attack, led by Bashir’s five-wicket haul, played a crucial role in securing the victory against West Indies in the second Test at Trent Bridge. The collapse of West Indies’ batting lineup, triggered by Chris Woakes’ dismissal of Mikyle Louis, paved the way for Bashir to wreak havoc on the opposition. His impressive bowling figures of 5-41 showcased his class and skill on a pitch that didn’t provide significant assistance to the bowlers.
Root’s century in the second innings set the tone for England’s dominance, with Harry Brook also contributing significantly with a quickfire century. The partnership between Root and Brook solidified England’s position in the match, giving them control and momentum to push for victory. Despite some late wickets falling, Root’s innings and Brook’s aggressive batting display were instrumental in England’s imposing total of 425 all out.
West Indies’ struggles with both bat and ball were evident as they failed to capitalize on their solid start in the chase. Brathwaite’s disappointment over the team’s performance highlighted the need for consistency in all departments. With England now holding a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, West Indies will need to regroup and come up with a strong response in the remaining matches to salvage the series. England, on the other hand, will look to build on their dominant display and maintain their winning momentum.
