West Indies quickly found redemption after their loss to England in the first Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Alzarri Joseph set the tone for the second Test at Trent Bridge by dismissing Zak Crawley with only the third ball of the day. However, England fought back and managed to score 416 in their first innings at a rapid pace of 4.70 runs per over.
Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope were instrumental in England’s strong performance, with Pope scoring his sixth Test century. Despite England’s strong start, the West Indies bowlers made a comeback by taking the last five wickets for 74 runs. Alzarri Joseph led the West Indies attack with three wickets, along with contributions from Jayden Seales and Kavem Hodge.
However, West Indies cricketer Kevin Sinclair acknowledged that they let things slip, especially with some crucial dropped catches that could have made a difference. England’s batsmen capitalized on the good batting conditions, with several players making useful contributions, including Duckett, Pope, and captain Ben Stokes.
Despite the challenges, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite’s decision to bowl first was supported by Sinclair, who hopes to contribute with both bat and ball. The West Indies will aim to put up a strong batting performance in their next innings to challenge England’s dominance in the series.
In summary, England scored 416 runs in their first innings, led by Ollie Pope’s century, while the West Indies bowlers put in a spirited effort to restrict the hosts. The stage is set for an exciting battle between the two teams in the remainder of the Test match.
