Photo credit: windiescricket.com
Windies versus England, the comeback series is over with the home team England emerged as the winning team despite going 1-nil down.
With all the drama of bio-secure environment, closed-doors, rainy conditions, and the hype of cricket return amid the circumstances, the Wisden trophy will remain in the England trophy cabinet from now on as the future trophy up for grabs will be named the Richards-Botham Trophy.
Windies missed a golden opportunity to win the series on English soil, but England deserves credit. Windies started the series in the perfect manner performing well in both the batting and bowling departments.
Their bowlers made a rollicking start to the tour with Jason Holder picking up a 6-wicket haul in the first innings, and Shannon Gabriel taking nine wickets in the match to complete the victory.
Moreover, the batsmen performed well despite challenging conditions and excellent bowling from England pacers, they won the match although being in trouble on the final day of the Test.
But with the game move to Old Trafford, Manchester, and the return of England regular captain Joe Root and pace bowler Stuart Broad, the English team bounced back well.
Windies, though having the confidence of taking the lead in the series, needed to bat through the last day for a draw. But their batsmen failed to accomplish that feat, and consequently lost the match.
Series level up
Once again, in the series decider, England was sent into bat by Jason Holder, and things didn’t start well for them.
England posted a decent score before inserting the Windies team.
Unfortunately, the boyz from the Caribbean performance was below par; their batting was a pill of disappointment, posting a paltry score of 197, thus allowing England a significant lead.
Given the target of 399, Windies finished the 3rd day on 10/2. Day 4, total washout from rain, and for the second consecutive time, Windies needed to bat through the 5th day to secure a draw.
However, it took England bowlers a mere 31.1 overs to dismantle the tired, fatigued and disheartened Windies team.
England wins the series 2-1.
Stuart Broad played the most important role in the series and was judged as the player of the series. Broad became only the 7th bowler in the history of the game to take 500 Test wickets, including a 10-wicket haul in the deciding match for which he was also declared player of the match.
For Windies, Roston Chase was adjudged the player of the series.
Windies won the first test match because of their bowlers, and it is their batsmen who haven’t performed in the series and are mostly to be blamed for the series loss.
Talking about individual performances, bowlers have performed well, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Roston Chase all played their parts and contributed. As for the batsmen, they have a tour to forget.
Though Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, Jermaine Blackwood performed. Still, when the team needed them and other batsmen to bat out, they failed to capitalize on their bowlers’ efforts, and eventually, it cost Windies the series despite having the lead in the series.
The series is over, and now the management needs to think of their selection. The players on which the team was relying, could not perform at the time of need.
Now it is up to the Board to make further decisions considering the players’ performances.
Follow CaribbeanCricinfo.com on Twitter and Instagram@CaribbeanCricinfo.com and on Facebook @CaribbeanCricinfo.com Send us a message on WhatsApp at 646-874-7976 or Call us at 201-500-7715 email us at CaribbeanCricinfo@gmail.com