England sealed a comfortable series win over the West Indies with a resounding 241-run victory.
The West Indies who were chasing 385 runs to win collapsed from 61/1 to 143/10 in 36 overs.
England who have won their first test series in eighteen months, now look forward to sealing a whitewash over the Windies.
West Indies collapse to hand England Series win
A dramatic West Indies collapse handed victory to England and ensured a series victory for Ben Stokes’ team. Chasing 385 runs to win the game with four sessions remaining. Initially, the Windies got off to a good start with a fifty partnership between Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis.
That didn’t last long as both openers were removed by Chris Woakes. Shoaib Bashir then claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in England as the West Indies collapsed to 143/10. The English fans were treated to a dramatic session as the bowlers got the ball swinging as the West Indies batsmen struggled.
Shoaib Bashir justified his selection in the squad with his maiden five-wicket haul in England. The Somerset player who was picked ahead of teammate Jack Leach displayed all his skills as he tore through the West Indies middle order. The last wicket of Shamar Joseph led to an elated Bashir being surrounded by his teammates congratulating him on his achievement. Bashir became the first England spinner to get a five-wicket haul at Trent Bridge since 2006. As well as this Bashir becomes the youngest bowler to take five wickets in a home Test match.
Mark Wood’s devastating pace caused the Windies batsmen a lot of trouble and his bouncer which dismissed Kevin Sinclair showed how pace can trouble any batsmen in the world. Atkinson continued his good start to Test match cricket as he claimed four wickets across both innings.
Joe Root racks up another milestone
There is no doubt Joe Root is one of England’s greatest-ever Test match batsmen. The Yorkshireman who has scored runs consistently got his country to reach a personal milestone at Trent Bridge. Root became the 8th highest run scorer in the format by surpassing Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s 11,867 runs.
Most importantly, Joe Root has a healthy average he has scored his runs close enough to 50 runs. Root’s next task will be to surpass Alistair Cook with the former England player 5th in the record books. The legend that Cook is and the status he has within the Test format will most definitely surpass him and make Joe Root England’s greatest-ever batsman.
Crucially, with the amount of Test match cricket England play, there is a real chance of Joe Root having an attempt to break Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 15,925 runs. England’s schedule is packed with a lot of Test matches coming up against Sri Lanka and a return to Pakistan for a three-match series. This is quickly followed by a return to New Zealand to finish England’s winter tour.
Furthermore, the ability to bounce back after a poor dismissal in the first innings is what sets Root apart from other great batsmen. After being bounced out in the first innings Root showed his class and fluidity as he racked up his 32nd hundred for England which is one less than Alistair Cook. Root will be looking to replace the former Essex player as England’s highest run scorer.
Crucial win for Captain Ben Stokes
Monumentally, this series was crucial for Ben Stokes as questions were beginning to be asked of his captaincy. Whilst England have improved their results in terms of wins. They have failed to win a series since a 3-0 win in Pakistan in 2022.
With Stokes credited for England’s attacking intent and their approach progress the game at the right stage is praised by pundits. Questions were starting to be raised, after the Pakistan series win England drew to New Zealand after losing the last test by one run. This was quickly followed up by an Ashes stalemate with Australia last summer and the heavy defeat suffered by India in April.
Having gone on such a streak, certain pundits and commentators were beginning to doubt England’s ability to be consistent throughout a Test series. After seeing how dominant England was at Lords and Trent Bridge those questions and doubts have faded slightly
With the Ashes only eighteen months away this series has been huge for Stokes. Whilst the Durham man won’t be thinking about Australia yet. It is something England are planning for with their selection of pace bowlers.
West Indies fail to capitalise on opportunities
On the other hand, the West Indies will be disappointed with their performance. After securing a fifty-run lead before England batting in their second innings. The Windies couldn’t stop the Three Lions from batting onslaught. The Windies who were embarrassed at Lords showed a spirited display at Trent Bridge but it still wasn’t good enough.
After England scored 416 runs in their first innings, the West Indies showed tremendous spirit. A maiden century from Kavem Hodge and half-centuries from Alick Athanaze and Josh da Silva put the English bowlers under pressure. However, the West Indies need to be more consistent with their line and length.
A series of dropped catches and poor dismissals ultimately led to the West Indies being unable to chase their target. To win Test matches and you have a strong position, the dominant team has to make it count. The bowlers were so inconsistent and allowed Ben Duckett in particular to smash the ball all over the ground. With the bowlers getting impatient they constantly bowled loose deliveries which were punished by Harry Brook. The Yorkshireman then went on to score his 5th century for England.
Will England be able to secure a Whitewash over the West Indies? Comment below.
