In a show of sheer dominance, England needed just four more wickets to beat the West Indies at Lord’s and wrap up the tournament in three days. Leveraging the combined efforts of James Anderson, Gus Atkinson and Ben Stokes, the visitors found themselves in a precarious position, scoring 79 runs for 6 in the second innings, still trailing by 171 runs.
England vs West Indies
England’s attacking batting in the first innings was a masterclass, with the team scoring over four runs in every over. Zak Crawley, Jamie Smith, Joe Root and Harry Brook all made significant contributions to keep the West Indies bowlers at bay It feels like bowling with a beach ball.
Zak Crawley set the tone with a breezy 76 that made it look like a walk in the park on a Sunday morning. Ever reliable anchor Joe Root moved past Allan Border into the top 10 all-time Test run-scorers with 68 runs. Jamie Smith showed steely nerves and the aggression of a seasoned pro on his debut as he roared to a delightful 70. Harry Brook played his first Test innings in almost a year and reminded everyone why he is such a valuable asset.
Main batting bonanza
West Indies’ bowlers, apart from Jayden Seales who took 4 for 77, looked like they had forgotten how to bowl with the red ball, possibly due to an overdose of T20 cricket . Shamar Joseph, who is undergoing treatment for a hamstring injury and has recently started playing T20 cricket again, was seen limping around the pitch like a retired marathon runner .
Anderson and colleagues turned the screw
If the batting onslaught wasn’t enough, England’s bowlers ensured there was no respite for West Indies. Needing 250 runs to get England batting again, West Indies found themselves in trouble for 37 runs in 4 overs. Anderson’s inswinger somersaulted off Craig Brathwaite’s middle stump, setting the tone for the carnage that followed.
Ben Stokes produced a spirited game in his first international match of the season, dismissing Mikyle Louis and Kirk McKenzie . Stokes seemed happier than a cat with a laser pointer, and his enthusiasm was contagious.
Kaveem Hodge then decided to chop Gus Atkinson on his own stumps, perhaps trying to invent a new way of dismissal. Alick Athanaze’s 22 provided him with a brief respite but was ultimately outsmarted by Anderson, who framed him like a seasoned con man.
West Indies Dilemma
The West Indies batsmen seemed to have adopted a survival mode, but it backfired. They neither survived nor scored, looking more like deer caught in the headlights than professional cricketers. Joshua da Silva and Jason Holder shared 24 runs for the sixth wicket, the third-highest partnership of the match, which Said a lot about their innings.
Holder was dismissed on the final ball of the day when he blocked Atkinson’s short ball straight to Ollie Pope, summing up West Indies’ woes. It was a day that didn’t go well for the visitors, except for the end of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
West Indies scored 79 runs for 6 in the second innings.
England scored 371 runs in the first innings.
Zak Crawley (76), Jamie Smith (70) and Joe Root (68) were England’s top performers.
James Anderson took 2 wickets and scored 11 runs in the 2nd innings.
The crucial moment came when England’s dominant batting performance and their brutal bowling reduced West Indies to 79 for 6, ensuring they were on the verge of an innings victory.
Conclusion England vs West Indies
England’s leading position against the West Indies at Lord’s proved their all-round quality. With a formidable first innings total and a lethal bowling attack, they gave the visitors a tough battle. England looked set for a comprehensive victory as James Anderson, Gus Atkinson and Ben Stokes continued to shine. The final day is bound to be a formality but as cricket tells us, expect the unexpected.
