The coronavirus pandemic had stopped all the cricketing actions in March early this year. However, England stepped forward and organised the first-ever Test series amid the global epidemic to give fans as well as the cricketers a sigh of relief.
The English team invited West Indies for the three-match Test series which kicked off from July 8. The visitors won the series opener, but then the hosts bounced back and crushed Windies in the subsequent Test.
All eyes were now shifted on to the third game at Old Trafford in Manchester to see who would term victorious in the series decider. Just like the second encounter, England completely dominated in the third Test and defeated Windies by 269 runs to win the first series post coronavirus outbreak.
Although, the game could’ve ended on Day 4, but it got washed away with any ball being bowled. Windies who lost their two wickets at the end of Day 3 resumed the final day at their overnight score of 10/2.
Stuart Broad, who took a 6-fer in the first innings, needed one wicket to complete 500 Test scalps, which he did by ending the show of opener Kraigg Brathwaite (19) in the 13th over of West Indies’ second innings.
A magic moment @StuartBroad8! 🦁🦁🦁
Scorecard/Videos: https://t.co/pvF724ZqtE#ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/pVLazQ57wf
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 28, 2020
Another English pacer Chris Woakes too joined the action as he sent Shai Hope (31) and Shamarh Brooks (22) in his consecutive overs. As if the trouble wasn’t enough for the tourists, middle-order batsman Roston Chase (7) met a terrible run-out.
DIRECT HIT!! Brilliant @DomBess99! 🎯
Scorecard/Videos: https://t.co/pvF724ZqtE#ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/VQkGVxE1jS
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 28, 2020
Woakes didn’t just stop there, as he continued his momentum to grab a five-wicket haul by sending both Jason Holder (12) and Shane Dowrich (8) back to the pavilion. It was Woakes’ fourth five-fer in Test cricket.
5️⃣ for Woakes! 👏 🎉
England are on the cusp of victory!#ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/0U4LMHnY9e
— ICC (@ICC) July 28, 2020
Broad again came back into the attack and finished the proceedings by dismissing Jermaine Blackwood (23) to complete his 10-wickets in the match.
England win by 2️⃣6️⃣9️⃣ runs 🎉
Stuart Broad finishes with figures of 10/67 🔥 #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/vC2ntoKZp7
— ICC (@ICC) July 28, 2020