In the second Test between England and West Indies, the hosts put in a superb fourth-innings performance to secure a massive win and reclaim the Richards-Botham Trophy.
Brook, Root centuries power England to massive lead on Day Four
Coming into Day Four, England were well placed in the Test match at 248-3 in the third innings, with a lead of 207 runs. The overnight partnership of Harry Brook and Joe Root continued to score briskly, and Brook was the first of the pair to reach a century. By the time he was caught behind for 109, he had put on 189 with Root for the fourth wicket.
Watch: Joe Root plays first reverse ramp in Tests since infamous Bumrah dismissal
West Indies had a brief ray of hope just before lunch, as the wickets of Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith swiftly followed that of Brook to leave England 348-6. But Joe Root brought all his experience into play, batting with the lower-order and completing his own century. In the course of his 122, Root moved into eighth on the list of top run-scorers in the history of Test cricket.
The hosts were eventually bowled out for 425 at tea, setting West Indies 385 to win in five sessions of play.
Joe Root surpassed Shivnarine Chanderpaul to become the eighth highest Test run-scorer. @Yas_Wisden examines if Root can overtake Sachin Tendulkar's run tally: https://t.co/D37gXPKxFI pic.twitter.com/tgZcdjt2QN
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) July 21, 2024
Brathwaite and Louis start brightly for West Indies
The task facing the visitors was daunting, but on a wicket that was still not difficult to bat on, they had a chance of giving England a real scare. Openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis set about their task, scoring quickly early on to put on 61 for the first wicket, in just 13 overs.
But immediately after the drinks break, Louis nicked Chris Woakes through to Jamie Smith, and the floodgates opened. Kirk McKenzie was caught behind off Shoaib Bashir before Woakes accounted for Brathwaite. Bashir then trapped Kavem Hodge lbw and had Alick Athanaze caught at slip. By the time Mark Wood then bounced out Kevin Sinclair, West Indies were in disarray at 91-6.
61-0 ⏩ 143 all out
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) July 21, 2024
West Indies collapsed dramatically in the final session on day four at Trent Bridge 🤯
England lead the series 2-0 with one Test still to play at Edgbaston.
Scorecard: https://t.co/9ndBcyJHmW pic.twitter.com/Asnn5cgnVD
Shoaib Bashir takes five to seal massive England win
Jason Holder and Joshua da Silva attempted to frustrate England towards the end of the day, but da Silva was soon given out lbw to Gus Atkinson, before the pacer knocked over Alzarri Joseph two balls later. With his side eight wickets down, Holder attempted to gather some quick runs but then perished, bowled by Bashir.
Watch: Ben Stokes hilariously reacts to doppelganger in Trent Bridge crowd
The off-spinner then cleaned up Shamar Joseph to finish with a five-wicket haul and seal victory for England by a massive 241 runs, inside four days. In doing so, Bashir became the first spinner since Muthiah Muralidaran in 2006 to take five wickets in a Test innings at Trent Bridge.
England have now taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, meaning they have reclaimed the Richards-Botham Trophy. West Indies won the previous bilateral series between the teams, in the Caribbean in 2022.
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