England vs West Indies 2nd Test Review: Stokes Stars as England Level Series

(England team celebrating 
Pic Courtesy: Google)

England produced a stellar performance in the second Test to secure a victory by 113 runs and level the series 1-1. 

(Jofra Archer
Pic Courtesy: Google)

West Indies came into the second Test with their tails up after a historic win in the first Test. The hosts, however, got a major setback just before the start of the Test. England were forced to make a change to their pace attack after fast bowler Jofra Archer was omitted for breaching the coronavirus protocols.

(Dom Sibley celebrating
Pic Courtesy: Google)

For the second Test in a row, we had delayed start due to light rain. West Indies won the toss and elected to field first. With over an hour lost in the morning session, the match began with England openers opting a cautious approach. Roston Chase provided the first breakthrough at the stroke of the lunch, with England posting 29/1. Chase removed Zak Crawley for a golden duck as play resumed in the second session. Joe Root got a start but fell for 23 to Alzarri Joseph. England reached the tea break at 112/3, with Sibley continuing to hold one end up. He reached his second consecutive fifty off 164 balls. Sibley and Ben Stokes carried on with England’s resistance after tea. For the West Indies, it was a frustrating day in the field. Their quicks struggled from the start. Man of the Match of the last game Shannon Gabriel picked up an injury and had a catch dropped off his bowling. England scored 207/3 on Day 1 of the 2nd Test vs West Indies in Manchester, with a 126-run unbeaten stand between Ben Stokes (59*) and Dominic Sibley (86*).

(Ben Stokes celebrating his ton
Pic Courtesy: Google)

On Day 2, It was all about Ben Stoke’s brilliance and Dom Sibley’s patience. Dom Sibley built an old-fashioned ton while Ben Stokes slammed terrific 176 to help England pile 464/9 dec. Both stitched together the second-highest fourth-wicket partnership for England in Tests. Roston Chase was the pick of the bowlers for the West Indies with figures of 5 for 172. England finished the day in a strong position after Sam Curran picked up the wicket of John Campbell with the tourists at 32/1 by stumps.

(Covers on the ground on Day 3
Pic Courtesy: Google)

Rain played spoilsport on Day 3 as the play got suspended without a ball bowled. England’s quest to level the series took a massive dent after the washout.

(Stuart Broad and England team celebrating
Pic Courtesy: Google)

Day 4 saw Stuart Broad reviving England's hopes of levelling the series in the second Test with three wickets in the span of 14 balls as the West Indies were dismissed for 287 on the fourth day. They started well, reaching lunch on 118/2. Guided by half-centuries from Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase and Shamarh Brooks, but their batting crumbled in the third session due to flurry of wickets by Stuart Broad (3/66) and Chris Woakes (3/42). England started their second innings with Ben Stokes and Jos Butler in search of quick runs, but Kemar Roach made early inroads with two scalps. Joe Root (8*) came on and formed a 20-run partnership with his vice-captain to end the day. England set the final day, after taking a lead of 219 runs by finishing the fourth day on 37/2.

(Ben Stokes
Pic Courtesy: Google)

The final day began with Ben Stokes smashing yet another fifty, finishing 78* before declaring for 129-3 dec inside 20 overs. With almost an entire day in hand, all three results were imminent. England fancied their chances of victory. Coming out to bat, it was a poor start by the visitors with Campbell falling in the first over. In-form Brathwaite soon joined him after he was trapped in front by Chris Woakes for 12. By lunch, the West Indies were in a spot of bother, reeling at 25 for 3. Roston Chase’s departure added to West Indies’ woes soon after the interval. Brooks and Blackwood showed some fight with half-centuries. But Blackwood fell before tea and things never got any better for them after. England wrapped up the tail with an hour left in the day to secure a 113-run win and level the series 1-1.