Englishmen pull level
Manchester, July 20: England beat the West Indies by 113 runs to win the second Test at Old Trafford on Monday.
West Indies, set a nominal 312 to win, were bowled out for 198 on the final day as England levelled the three-match series at 1-1.
The third Test of a series that marks international cricket’s return from the Coronavirus lockdown starts at Old Trafford on Friday.
Ben Stokes removed Jermaine Blackwood off the final ball before tea to leave the West Indies on
137-5 and ignite England’s chances. Blackwood (55) gloved an attempted shot around the corner and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler scrambled to take a diving catch, ending a 100run partnership with Shamarh Brooks that was giving the West Indies hope of salvaging a draw.
Brooks made 62 before being trapped leg before by Sam Curran.
Yet it is Ben Stokes who has been England’s star, once again. Before taking that crucial wicket of Blackwood, the allrounder had gone into limited-overs mode to plunder 78 not out off 57 balls to help England to 129-3 before captain Joe Root declared with his team having a lead of 311 runs. England made 92 runs off 11 overs after resuming on 37-2, effectively taking the game away from Windies.— AP
BRIEF SCORES Day 5: England 469/9 decl & 129/3 decl (Ben Stokes 78 n.o. vs West Indies 287 in 99 overs (Shamarh Brooks 68, Roston Chase 51; Chris Woakes 3/42) & 198 in 70.1 overs (Jermaine Blackwood 55, Shamarh Brooks 62; Jason Holder
35, Stuart Broad 3/42, Chris Woakes 2/34, Dorm Bess 2/59, Ben Stokes
2/30)