Cricket: England crush West Indies in second Test

Clinch seventh successive Test series at home.

NOTTINGHAM: England beat West Indies by nine wickets to win the second Test with more than a day to spare at Trent Bridge and take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Set 108 for victory, England cruised to their target for the loss of one wicket. Captain Andrew Strauss, who made 141 in the first-innings to follow his hundred in the five-wicket first Test win at Lord’s, was out for 45 when he chipped part-time spinner Marlon Samuels to short extra-cover with his side just 19 runs short of victory. But Alastair Cook (43 not out) and Jonathan Trott (17 not out) completed the win.

Considering West Indies resumed on their overnight 61 for six, their second-innings total represented a considerable recovery.

Samuels started on 13 not out with West Indies captain Darren Sammy, who made a maiden Test hundred in his side’s first-innings total of 370.

A battling knock of 76 by Samuels with the wagging tail propelled the tourists to 165 before he ran out of partners at the other end.

Man-of-the-match Tim Bresnan took four for 37 in 17 overs for a Test-best match haul of eight for 141, while James Anderson was close behind with a second innings return of four for 43 in 20.1 overs.

“I’ve enjoyed the two Tests,” said Bresnan. “I just want to continue to play like this, continue to improve and contribute to the team.”

Samuel’s effort merely delayed the inevitable and the loss extended West Indies’ win-less run in England to 16 Tests, with 14 defeats and two draws.

“We’re not learning and something has to be done,” said Sammy. “I think we have to be more focused, keep working hard and put a higher price on our wickets.”

Strauss was delighted with the performance but said his team could have been more clinical.

“We’re obviously delighted to get over the line in this match, it was hard work at times,” said the England captain. “We got ourselves in positions were we thought we could take the game by the scruff of the neck and we did. It’s been a hard fought win.”

The third Test at Edgbaston starts on June 7.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2012.