Published: Apr 26, 2015, 02:38 AM (IST)
Edited: Apr 26, 2015, 02:38 AM (IST)
England ended a wait of two-and-a-half years and 10 matches for Test success away from home with a nine-wicket win over the West Indies in the second Test at Grenada. England now lead the three-match series 1-0 and the third test will be played at Barbados on May 1. Set a modest target of 143 after the home side folded for 307 in their second innings just after lunch, Gary Ballance (81*) and skipper Alastair Cook (59*) eased to the target with an unbroken 142-run second-wicket partnership after Jonathan Trott fell without scoring to Shannon Gabriel. Full Updates: West Indies vs England 2015, 2nd Test at Grenada Day 5
This first away win since a series-clinching seven-wicket triumph over India in Kolkata in December, 2012 means that England have retained the Wisden Trophy -– the symbol of supremacy in Test series between the two nations since 1963 –- going into the final Test in Barbados starting next Friday. Full SCORECARD: West Indies vs England 2nd Test Day 5 at Grenada here
James Anderson starred with the ball and in the field at Grenada’s National Stadium on Saturday. He triggered a collapse which saw the home side lose eight wickets for 83 runs after they resumed in the comfortable position of 202 for two with opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite on 101 and first innings century-maker Marlon Samuels at the crease. West Indies vs England 2015: Gary Ballance 3rd fastest England player to reach 1,000 runs in Tests
His country’s leading wicket-taker in Tests, Anderson made full use of the second new ball in the morning session, removing Brathwaite for 116 with a sharp lifter that was fended to gully. He then added the other key wickets of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, via an excellent reflex-action take by Cook at first slip on the rebound from second slip fielder Ian Bell, and Marlon Samuels to finish with the excellent figures of four for 43 off 22 overs. Ambrose lauds bowlers for fighting hard against England
He also held two catches at mid-off and ran out Jason Holder, the man whose maiden first-class century denied England victory in the first Test in Antigua a week earlier, with a direct hit of the stumps at the non-striker’s end. That dismissal effectively ended any realistic chance the West Indies had of saving the match and it was left to off-spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali to finish off the innings by taking the last three wickets. West Indies vs England, 2nd Test at Grenada: Marlon Samuels gives Ben Stokes a funny send-off
There was one ray of hope for the Caribbean side when England started their run-chase as Trott played on to Gabriel. However, Cook and Ballance hardly appeared troubled against a West Indies team fast running out of enthusiasm on another afternoon of blistering sunshine. Joe Root scores century during England vs West Indies Day 3, 2nd Test at Grenada
Injury was added to insult for the hosts when Holder had to be stretchered off the field in the midst of his second over after turning over his left ankle badly at the point of delivery. The manner in which he was grimacing in pain throughout the experience now raises questions about his chances of being fit for the third and final Test starting in his native Barbados next Friday. Kraigg Brathwaite scores 4th Test ton in West Indies vs England Day 4, 2nd Test at Grenada
Ironically, the delivery that left him crumpled in a heap on the pitch was pulled by Ballance through the hands of Samuels at square-leg. Another moment of luck for the Zimbabwean-born left-hander came just before the tea interval when Devon Smith failed to hold on to a sharp chance at slip off Samuels. Alastair Cook becomes England’s second highest run-scorer in Tests during West Indies vs England, 2nd Test at Grenada
Ballance became the third-fastest England batsman to 1,000 runs in Test cricket as the target got closer, and also enjoyed another reprieve via the embarrassed local hero Smith at second slip off Samuels once again. Marlon Samuels slams 7th Test century in West Indies vs England 2nd Test at Grenada
Brief scores:
West Indies 299 (Marlon Samuels 103; Stuart Broad 4 for 61) and 286 for 8 (Kraigg Brathwaite 116, Darren Bravo 69; James Anderson 4 for 43) lost to England 464 (Alastair Cook 76, Jonathan Trott 59, Gary Ballance 77, Joe Root 182*; Devendra Bishoo 4 for 177) and 65 for 1 (Alastair Cook 59*, Gary Ballance 81*; Shannon Gabriel 1 for 20) by 9 wickets.
