WI batting meltdown sees England claim Richards/Botham Trophy
A BATTING meltdown by the West Indies – one of many which fans have had to endure over the last three decades – resulted in a 241-run for England in the second Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
In the process, England claimed the Richards/Botham Trophy, as they have an unassailable two-nil lead in the three-Test series.
England were put in to bat first by West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite, and they amassed 416 in their first innings – on the first day.
Ollie Pope, who was adjudged as the Man of the Match, posted 121 (167 balls, 15 fours and a six) and there were useful knocks from opener Ben Duckett (71 off 59 balls with 14 fours), captain Ben Stokes (69 off 104 balls with eight fours), Chris Woakes (37), Harry Brook and Jamie Smith (36 apiece).
West Indies’ vice-captain Alzarri Joseph had an economy rate of 6.32, and he delivered four no-balls on the day, but the fast bowler had the best figures of 3-98 off 15.3 overs.
Off-spinner Kevin Sinclair (an overnight replacement for fellow finger-spinner Gudakesh Motie who suffered an illness) had 2/73 while fast bowlers Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph took 2/90 and 1/44 respectively.
On the second day, the West Indies closed on 351/5 due to a maiden Test century from Kavem Hodge (120 from 171 balls with 19 fours) and a maiden Test half-century from his fellow Dominican, Alick Athanaze (82 from 99 balls with 10 fours and a six). Both featured in a fourth-wicket partnership of 175 off 36.4 overs. Brathwaite showed a slight return to form with 48.
Joshua Da Silva made a useful unbeaten 82 (122 balls, 10 fours and three sixes) and last-man Shamar Joseph struck 33 (27 balls, five fours and two sixes) as the West Indies were dismissed on the third day for 457. Pacer Chris Woakes got 4/84 for the hosts, while the other wicket-takers were fast bowler Gus Atkinson (2/107), off-spinner Shoaib Bashir (2/108), pacer Ben Stokes (1/61) and fast bowler Mark Wood (1/71).
Inconsistent bowling by the West Indies resulted in England racing to 248/3 off 51 overs at the close, with Harry Brook (71) and Joe Root (37) the not-out batsmen. Duckett struck 76 (92 balls, 11 fours) and Pope 51 (67 balls, six fours).
Brook and Root extended their fourth-wicket stand to 189 off 41.2 overs as they both reached triple figures – Brook made 109 (132 balls, 13 fours) and Root 122 (178 balls, 10 fours).
England, for the first time in their Test history, made 400 runs twice in a match, as they were bowled out for 425. Seales grabbed 4/97 while Alzarri Joseph (2/103), pacer Jason Holder (1/54), Shamar Joseph (1/75) and Sinclair (1/78).
The West Indies were set a target of 385 in four sessions, and there were encouraging signs as the opening pair of Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis compiled a partnership of 61 off 13 overs, before a drinks break.
However, the first ball after the drinks break, Louis (17) edged Woakes to wicket-keeper Smith and the West Indies crumbled to 143 off 36.1 overs!
Brathwaite top-scored with 47 and Holder contributed 37, but the West Indies batsmen offered little to no resistance, as Bashir claimed Test-best figures of 5/41. Woakes took 2/28, Atkinson 2/49 and Wood 1/17.
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