England beat West Indies by 241 runs on Day 4 of the second Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on Sunday, July 21. The hosts set a massive target of 385 runs for the West Indies to make a comeback in the series but they failed to replicate their first innings heroics and got bowled out for 143 in the fourth innings.
As a result, the Ben Stokes-led side took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series having won the first Test by an innings and 114 runs. The victory also ensured that England hold the Botham-Richards Trophy for the first time ever since its inception in 2022.
Shoaib Bashir starred for home team in the fourth innings registering figures of 5/41 in 11.1 overs. The 20-year-old became the youngest spinner to take a five-wicket haul at home for England. He also became the first spinner to take a fifer at Trent Bridge since 2006 after the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan who picked up 8/70.
Bashir finished with match figures of 7/151 as England continued their home dominance over the West Indies winning their eighth consecutive series since 2000. Ollie Pope was adjudged Player of the Match for scoring 121 and 51 across two innings in the game.
West Indies lose ten wickets for 82 runs
Chasing a daunting target of 385, West Indies got their innings off to a great start with openers captain Kraigg Brathwaite (47* off 48) and Mikyle Louis (17* off 40) adding 61 runs for the first wicket.
However, Chris Woakes managed to break the stand finding the edge of Mikyle’s bat which was safely grabbed by Jamie Smith behind the stumps. At the other end, Bashir managed to find the edge from the toe end of the bat of Kirk Mckenzie to get his first wicket of the innings.
Captain Brathwaite also failed to convert his start giving Smith his third catch of the innings behind the stumps to leave his team reeling at 74/3. From there on, there was no comeback for the visitors with Bashir getting the prized scalps of Kavem Hodge and Alick Athanaze to further pile on the misery for the West Indies.
Jason Holder showed some resistance down the order with his knock of 37 (42) comprising of four fours and two sixes. But the grave had been dug for the West Indies and Bashir hit the final nail in the coffin by shattering the stumps of Shamar Joseph to set up a massive win for his side.
Joe Root and Harry Brook bring England in ascendancy
Earlier in the day, England resumed their innings on the overnight score of 248/3 with Joe Root (37*) and Harry Brook (71*) at the crease. The duo continued from where they left off and extended their partnership to 189 runs for the fourth wicket off 248 balls.
Brook brought his fifth Test ton scoring 109 (132) while Root brought up his 32nd Test ton playing a magnificent innings of 122 (178). During his innings, he also levelled with Steve Waugh, Steve Smith and Kan Williamson in terms of Test hundreds. He also left behind Shivnarine Chanderpaul in the list of most runs in Test history.
England were bundled out for 425 leading by 384 runs in the second innings as Jayden Seales registered figures of 4/97 in 22.2 overs for the West Indies. Meanwhile, West Indies will be desperate for a comeback in the third and final Test of the series set to begin from Friday, July 26 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.