Indian Premier League
Kolkata Knight Riders
1
1.823
10:00
14.03.2025, 10:00
x
25
Sunrisers Hyderabad
2
2.036
Indian Premier League
14/03/2025 10:00
Kolkata Knight Riders
Sunrisers Hyderabad
W1

1.82

X

25

W2

2.04

  1. Home
  2. /
    News
  3. /
    England Close In on Victory Over West Indies in Second Test
England Close In on Victory Over West Indies in Second Test
West Indies. Source: reddit.com/r/Cricket

England Close In on Victory Over West Indies in Second Test

West Indies 79 for 6 (Athanaze 22, Anderson 2-11, Stokes 2-25) and 121 trail England 371 (Crawley 76, Smith 70, Root 68, Seales 4-77) by 171 runs.

England is on the brink of securing an innings victory over the West Indies within three days, needing just four more wickets. James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, and Ben Stokes collectively took six wickets on the second evening, placing England in a commanding position with a 1-0 lead in sight.

West Indies needed 250 runs, more than double their first-innings total, to force England to bat again. However, they quickly slumped to 37 for 4 within 19 overs. Anderson’s inswinger dismantled Kraigg Brathwaite’s middle stump, while Stokes removed Mikyle Louis and Kirk McKenzie during a ten-over spell. Kavem Hodge then chopped an Atkinson delivery onto his stumps.

The West Indies batters struggled, adopting a defensive approach that neither helped them survive nor score. Alick Athanaze, who managed 22 runs, was the exception but eventually edged behind after being worked over by Anderson from around the wicket. Joshua da Silva and Jason Holder added 24 runs for the sixth wicket, the third-highest partnership for the West Indies in the match. However, Stokes set a short-ball trap for Holder, who fended off an Atkinson bouncer to Ollie Pope at short leg with the final ball of the day.

England was bowled out at the tea interval on the second afternoon, establishing a substantial first-innings lead. Harry Brook, Joe Root, and debutant Jamie Smith joined Zak Crawley and Pope in scoring half-centuries. Other than Jayden Seales, who took 4 for 77, the West Indies bowlers lacked match practice, which was evident in their performance.

Root and Brook scored heavily in the first hour, with Brook batting fluently in his first Test innings in almost a year. He reached his twelfth Test fifty in his 13th match but top-edged an attempted hook off Alzarri Joseph. During his innings of 68, Root surpassed Allan Border’s career aggregate, entering the top ten of all-time Test run-scorers. Root and Stokes were both dismissed by exceptional deliveries from Gudakesh Motie, raising questions about Brathwaite’s delayed introduction of the left-arm spinner.

Stokes’ first international innings of the season lasted only 11 balls, as Motie found a sharp turn to dismiss him, leaving Stokes open-mouthed as his middle stump was knocked out. Root was also bowled by Motie, who utilised an arm ball with an upright seam that deviated late to beat Root on the outside edge.

In the second session, Smith hit Seales over the Tavern Stand for a six in his maiden Test innings, sharing a steady 52-run partnership with Chris Woakes. After Woakes and Atkinson fell quickly to the second new ball, Smith accelerated, reaching a 98-ball fifty. He then launched Seales’ short ball over midwicket, sending it out of Lord's altogether. Shoaib Bashir’s run-out by Mikyle Louis meant Anderson was applauded out for what might be his final Test innings. However, Anderson did not face a ball as Smith was caught at deep backward square leg, finishing with 70 runs.

Shamar Joseph spent part of the afternoon off the field due to muscle tightness and was treated for a left hamstring issue. He returned briefly to bowl, but was in visible discomfort.

With England poised for victory, Anderson has a final chance to contribute significantly to his team in what could be his last Test, aiming to secure one more win for his country.

Get the latest news to your inbox
Subscribe to the newsletter
We value your privacy and promise not to distribute your email to third parties