England on Friday defeated West Indies by an innings and 114 runs to take 1-0 lead in the three-match ENG vs WI Test series. West Indies proved to be no match for the English side in veteran bowler James Anderson’s last Test as Kraigg Brathwaite’s team crumbled in both innings.
ENG vs WI 1st Test: England smother West Indies
The West Indies batters were no match for the England bowlers as wickets continued to tumble on Day 3 of the 1st Test. Gus Atkinson achieved a unique feat as he grabbed a 10-wicket haul on debut, the third English bowler to do so at Lord’s. Veteran James Anderson ended his career in the perfect fashion, with 704 wickets to his name from 188 Tests.
Joshua da Silva was the first to depart on Day 3, as Anderson struck to get his 704th Test wicket. Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph were the next to walk back to the pavilion as Atkinson’s dream debut continued. None of the lower-order batters, barring Motie and Joseph, managed to get to double digits scores as the visitors were decimated by the hosts at the ‘home of cricket’.
Atkinson finished the match with figures of 12/106 as he bagged the last to scalps to hand West Indies their biggest defeat so far at Lord’s.
Day 2 ended with West Indies batting while it was the hosts who dominated the proceedings of the game. England started the day at 189/3 and continued their red hot form. Joe Root, Harry Brook and Jamie Smith slammed fifties each to help England post a big first innings score. Already in the backfoot, West Indies in their second innings have been left crumbling 79/6.
England’s pure domination at Lord’s
Kick starting the day in a splendid fashion, Harry Brook quickly raced towards his fifty before being dismissed. Ace batter Joe Root however was cautious and played the role of an anchor. He went on to slam 68 from 114 balls to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Keeper Jamie Smith too looked in deft touch with the bat. He slammed 70 runs from 199 runs to help the hosts post 371 runs on the board and have a lead of 250 runs. For the West Indies, Jayden Seales was impressive with his four-fer while Jason Holder and Gudakesh Motei bagged two wickets a piece.
In the second innings, trouble continued for West Indies. Albeit having a trail of 250 runs, the visitors continued to lose wickets in quick successions. None of the batters got time to settle down as the English bowlers continued to wreak havoc on day 2.