Despite losing the entire third day’s play to inclement weather, England showed admirable gumption to stage a miraculous comeback by recording a 113-run win over West Indies on the final day of the second Test.
England players celebrate the wicket of West Indies’ Shai Hope
Manchester:
This come-from-behind win enabled the host to square the three-match series at 1-1 after losing the first Test at Southampton by four wickets.
The third and final Test of the Wisden Trophy will also be played at the same venue and will commence on Thursday. A draw in the final Test will help Jason Holder’s team retain the trophy as the Caribbean side won the last series 2-1 in early 2019.
West Indies has only itself to blame as it was undone by inept batting, which came in for much acclaim only a few days ago.
Earlier, England resumed on its overnight score of 37-2 and Stokes got straight into the action, looking to cart the West Indies bowlers all around the empty stadium to bring up his half century in only 36 balls. Skipper Joe Root also scored a quick-fire 22 and was run out as he sacrificed himself to get Stokes back on strike. First innings centurion Stokes was unbeaten on 78 off 57 deliveries, which included three sixes, when England declared at 129-3.
Brief scores: England (1st innings) 469/9 decl. & (2nd innings) 129/3 decl. in 19 overs (B Stokes 78*) bt West Indies (1st innings) 287 & 198 all out in 70.1 overs (S Brooks 62, J Blackwood 55, S Broad 3/42, B Stokes 2/30, C Woakes 2/34)