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Stormy Ben Stokes Inspired England Levelling The Series 

Saleque Sufi | Banglanews24.com
Update: 2020-07-21 11:34:29
Stormy Ben Stokes Inspired England Levelling The Series  Photo collected

Wisden Trophy 2020 
West Indies Vs England Test Series 
Second Test Played at Emirates Stadium Old Trafford, Manchester, England 
Brief Score Card At Sumps Day-4:
England 1st Innings 469/9 declared (BA Stokes 176, DP Sibley 120, JC Buttler 40, RL Chase 5/172, KAJ Roach 2/58) and 2nd 129/3 declared ( BA Stokes 78*, KAJ Roach 2/37), West Indies 1st Innings 287 All Out ( KC Brathwaite 75, SSJ Brooks 68, RL Chase 51, AS Josef 32, S Hope 25, C Woakes 3/ 42, SCJ Broad 3/66, SM Curran 2/70) and West Indies 2nd Innings 198 All Out ( SSJ Brooks 62, J Blackwood 55, J Holder 35, SCJ Broad 3/42, BA Stokes 2/30, CR Woakes 2/34, DM Bess 2/59) 
England Won by 113 Runs
Man Of The Match: BA Stokes 

English lions were licking their wounds after their shocking defeat at Rose Bowl Southampton. Roaring back with vengeance they avenged that defeat winning the second test at Emirates stadium Old Trafford by 113 runs on the last the of the last session. Set to score 312 for an improbable win West Indies could not survive 85 overs they were to bat out. In the face of quality pace attack (seam and swing) on wearing wicket they got shot out for 198. The series is now level 1-1.

The third and final series decider will start on the same venue on Friday 24 July. English win makes the series wide open. We are not very sure West Indies have resources to contain England in ascendancy. But at that same time there is no reason to rule them out completely. Still the final test will have plenty of cricket to play for. Test cricket returned with its traditional excitement and flavour. 

A complete days play was rained out. England was desperate for winning the test for squaring the series. Any other outcome would have led to West Indies retaining the Wisden Trophy come what may in the final test. They opted to rest Anderson and Wood for rotating their pacers for heavy duties this summer. England after West Indies series plays against Ireland and Pakistan. But their options got further narrowed when Jofra Archer was forced out for breaching CORONA guidelines. There is no doubt about quality of Broad, Woakes and Curran. But none of them are express pace to rattle opposition. Off course all can bat and bat well. The return of Joe Root also bolstered the batting.

But the factor that made the difference was the superb all round performance of star all rounder Ben Stokes. His marathon innings of 176 in the first Innings on difficult condition and tsunami 75 not in the second innings made set England on the course. Off course working over time he looked limping at the last stage of the game. Hope he remains fit for batting at least.

Old Trafford wicket traditionally favors spin on the fourth and fifth days. Even this wicket had lot of turn, lateral movement and reasonable amount of bounce. West Indies captain Jason Holder winning the toss perhaps was a bit perplexed what to decide. He must have in his mind the challenges of exposing his less experienced batsmen to survive the fourth innings on wearing wicket. But on day one sky was overcast and wicket possibly retained some moisture.  Batting first could be better decision as fresh English attack would not settle straightaway. His bowlers however managed getting early breakthroughs. England was reduced to 81/3. The ball was seaming and swinging. Several times ball beat the bat but did not find the edge or even these found dropped short of fielders. But Sibley and Stokes grinded and grafted. 260 runs fourth wicket partnership between Stokes and Sible laid the foundation for England’s huge 469/9 declared first innings score. Stokes possibly played one of the best innings of his life scoring 176 staying at the wicket for 356 deliveries. Sibley was more patient scoring 120 in 372 deliveries.

Rain ruined day three completely narrowing England’s window of opportunity. West Indies looked rallying for batting to safety till champion bowler Stuart Broad created a Tsunami with the second new ball. In a space of 14 deliveries he wrecked West Indies middle order taking 3 wickets for 1 run. West Indies got bundled out for 287 conceding a first innings deficit of 182 runs. England got up to 219 runs lead by end of day four losing 2 second innings wicket. 

West Indies failed to contain resurging Lions on the morning of day five. Campbell dropped a straight forward catch of Rampaging Ben Stokes. He raced to 78 not out in no time in T20 mode. England set an improbable target of 312 for the tourists.

West Indies started disastrously losing 4 wickets for 37 by the 15th over. It was impossible for West Indies middle order surviving the day resisting relentless English attack. Still Brooks and Blackwood tried their level best adding 100 runs for the 5th wicket. When Curran and Stokes removed only Holder was left to laed the fight along with tail enders. But it was tall ask. West Indies innings folded for 198 still 113 runs short. England won and squared the series 1-1.

The third and final test will start this Friday 24 July on the same venue. The team winning will win the series. If there is any other result West Indies will retain the Wisden Trophy. 

Ben Stokes was the person making the difference in the test .His Scores of 176 and 78* and wickets at important juncture turned match around for England. He was appropriately adjudged man of the match. Off course Stuart Broad was also the stand out bowler of the match.

BDST: 1134 HRS, JUL 21, 2020
SMS

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