North Sound (Antigua and Barbuda): Kemar Roach (4/52) and captain Jason Holder (4/43) led another rout of the England batting line-up as the West Indies completed a crushing series-clinching 10-wicket victory after tea on the third day of the second Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium here, Saturday.
Trailing by 119 runs at the start of the second innings after Darren Bravo’s (50, 216b, 2×4, 1×6) ultra-patient half century extended the West Indies first innings total to 306 in the morning, England were demolished for 132 with Roach and Holder causing maximum damage.
Openers Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell then enjoyed the formality of knocking off the 14 runs required for victory in 2.1 overs, Campbell sealing the result in style by hoisting James Anderson for six over midwicket.
Following on a 381-run hammering of the visitors in the first Test in Barbados a week earlier, the result gave the West Indies the series 2-0 with the final match of the rubber starting next Saturday in St Lucia.
West Indies have also reclaimed the Wisden Trophy, symbol of supremacy in Test series between the two teams, after almost 10 years in England hands.
“We’re hungry for success,” said a delighted Holder. “This group has been together for a while and we have been doing some exceptional things. The way we ended last year was disappointing and everyone wanted to turn things around.”
While Roach (match analysis of eight for 82) and Holder claimed the main bowling honours, fellow pacer Alzarri Joseph’s (2/12) contribution was especially significant given that he decided to continue playing the match despite the passing of his ailing mother, Sharon, early in the morning.
He claimed the wickets of Root and debutant opener Joe Denly just before the end of the afternoon session after Holder made the first two breakthroughs in removing Rory Burns and Jonny Bairstow after an opening partnership of 35.
Most of the focus at the start of the day was on Bravo, the lone West Indies batsman to fail in both innings of the first Test. He made amends in a manner completely against his nature, his 50 being the slowest-ever by a West Indies batsman in Test cricket in terms of balls faced.
In stark contrast to the watchful defiance which typified his near six-hour occupation of the crease, the left-hander was last out when he charged down the pitch at Moeen Ali to be stumped.
Brief scores: England 187 and 132 (Jos Buttler 24, Jason Holder 4/43, Kemar Roach 4/52) lost to West Indies 306 (Darren Bravo 50, Stuart Broad 3/53, Moeen Ali 3/62) and 17 without loss by 10 wickets.
AFP