ENG vs WI: England activates bazball in Trent Bridge Test; sets a new record in the longest format

Table of Contents

A poor start for England
England scripts history in Test cricket
- Fastest team fifty in Test cricket

England are taking on West Indies in the second Test of the three-match series at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The hosts are coming off a dominant victory in the first Test at Lord’s where they won the contest by an innings and 114 runs. They will again be hoping for yet another victory in order to seal the series.

A poor start for England

West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl first on a track that appeared perfect for batting conditions and is considered one of the best batting wickets in England. Nonetheless, Alzarri Joseph, with the new ball, three slips, and a gully, left his mark immediately, justifying captain Kraigg Brathwaite’s decision as he dismissed star opener Zak Crawley for a duck in the opening over.

Joseph’s over began impressively. He first delivered a length ball that hit the deck hard and shaped away slightly after pitching, passing the edge of Crawley’s bat. The follow-up ball was a bouncer that surprised Crawley, hitting him on the chest.

On the third ball, Joseph delivered a stunner, claiming Crawley’s prized scalp. A back-of-length delivery on off got steep bounce and squared up Crawley. The late away movement was enough to catch an edge, and Alick Athanaze at third slip made no mistake, taking a superb catch low to his left.

Also READ: David Lloyd criticizes England for allegedly ‘forcing’ James Anderson into retirement

England scripts history in Test cricket

Despite losing Crawley early with no runs on the scoreboard, England went on to make history thanks to their much-discussed bazball approach. Ben Duckett led the charge, guiding his side past 50 runs in just 4.2 overs. This feat made England the fastest team to reach 50 runs in Test history, surpassing their own record set in 2002 against Sri Lanka in Manchester when they reached 50 runs in 5 overs. Meanwhile in the ongoing second Test against the Caribbeans, by the end of 5 overs, England had scored 55/1, with Duckett (38) leading the way.