ENG vs WI: 2nd Test – Talking points from thrilling final day

England surged back in the second of the three-match Test series as they defeated West Indies by 113 runs at Old Trafford, Manchester. On the final day, the hosts set West Indies a target of 312 runs to win or bat out 85 overs for a draw. The winners of the first Test failed to survive for 85 overs and were all out by the time last hour of the play began. All five frontline bowlers ended up taking wickets at crucial intervals for England as they secured the equaliser. Here are how the events transpired on the fifth day.

England’s bid for declaration

England were clearly intent on scoring runs as fast as possible. Continuing from 37/2, Ben Stokes launched an all-out attack while Joe Root gave him the maximum strike. The all-rounder completed his fifty in just 36 balls. Jason Holder tried his best to stall the proceedings by using out all his reviews and bowling away from the batsmen. England eventually declared on 129/3 after batting out 19 overs. Stokes finished his blazing knock on 78 not out. This set a target of 312 runs from 85 overs for West Indies.

Blackwood and Brooks keep WI alive

The most realistic option available to West Indies was to bat out the remaining 85 overs and walk off with a draw. However, their innings began on a wrong note. Stuart Broad dismissed opener, John Campbell, in the first over itself. Chris Woakes accounted for Kraigg Brathwaite at the other end. Broad showed his class dismissing both Shai Hope and Roston Chase to leave West Indies at 37/4. From here on, it was Shamarh Brooks and Jermaine Blackwood who stood firm. The duo added 100 runs but more importantly eked out 27.2 overs. It was once again England’s talisman, Ben Stokes who provided the breakthrough.

England get the equaliser

Blackwood’s wicket brightened England’s chances. West Indies’ reliable wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich fell immediately in the next over. Sam Curran dismissed the only remaining specialist batsman Brooks to make in-roads in the West Indian lower order. And once Holder was clean bowled by Bess, the tail hanging out for that long was improbable. Bess provided the final blow as Ollie Pope held on to a fantastic catch at the short leg. Kemar Roach was the last man to fall as West Indies ended on 198 all out.

YEEEEESSSSS @DomBess99!! ?

Scorecard/Videos: https://t.co/Jr8JJyRQaw#ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/eVeeIVwjdo

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 20, 2020

Both the teams will meet each other once again at the same venue on 24th July (Friday) to play the third and final Test match of the series.