After facing the defeat in the first Test against West Indies in Southampton, England bounced back strongly in the second Test at Old Trafford in Manchester. The hosts displayed an act of perfect revenge and crushed West Indies badly in the second Test to level the three-match series 1-1.
Just like the series opener, West Indies yet again got the target to chase on the final day of the match. However, this time it was a bit challenging to accomplish as England declared their second innings on 129/3, setting a target of 312 runs for the visitors to win the contest.
Unlike the Windies bowlers, England’s bowling unit looked well organised and exhibited the discipline by bowling in crucial areas to trouble the Caribbean batsmen. While chasing the massive target of 312 runs, the tourists had an abysmal start as they lost four wickets for just 37 runs.
English bowlers were looking settled to wrap up the things as early as possible, but then the pair of Jermaine Blackwood (55) and Shamarh Brooks (62) steadied the ship and added 100-runs to give some hope to the Jason Holder-led side. However, then England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes, as usual, came for the rescue. He bowled a nasty bouncer down the leg-side to dismiss Blackwood.
MASSIVE WICKET! What a cricketer @benstokes38!
Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/Jr8JJyRQaw#ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/AiF0lTewHb
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 20, 2020
After Blackwood’s dismissal, West Indies never really got the momentum and ended up losing wickets at regular intervals. The visitors could only reach 198 and lost the contest by 113 runs.
WHAT A PERFORMANCE!! 🦁🦁🦁
Scorecard/Videos: https://t.co/cY7yzWrrKH#ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/xOBxNtXsPA
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 20, 2020
For England, Stuart Broad was the most successful bowler in the game. He claimed three wickets in both first as well as the second innings. Apart from Broad, Chris Woakes and Dominic Bess claimed two scalps each in the second innings. At the same time, Sam Curran bagged one wicket.
Earlier, Stokes shined with the willow and played two magnificent knocks of 176 and unbeaten 78 in first and second innings, respectively. The southpaw was equally good with the red-ball as he earned three wickets and won the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
