England secured a commanding 241-run victory over the West Indies in the second Test at Trent Bridge on July 21, 2024, clinching the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead. The match was highlighted by an exceptional bowling performance from 20-year-old spinner Shoaib Bashir, who became the youngest England bowler to take a five-wicket haul on home soil.Bashir’s figures of 5-41 were instrumental in dismantling the West Indies batting lineup. The tourists, chasing a target of 385, started promisingly with a 61-run opening partnership between captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis. However, Bashir’s spin bowling sparked a dramatic collapse, with the West Indies losing all 10 wickets for just 82 runs in 23 overs.England’s victory was set up by centuries from Joe Root (122) and Harry Brook (109) in their second innings, which helped set the challenging target for the West Indies. Root’s century was his 32nd in Test cricket, moving him one behind Alastair Cook’s England record.This win marks England’s first series victory since their tour of Pakistan in December 2022. The final Test of the series is scheduled to take place at Edgbaston on July 26, with England looking to complete a clean sweep.Bashir’s performance was particularly noteworthy as it justified his selection ahead of established spinner Jack Leach. It was his third five-wicket haul in just five Test appearances for England, highlighting his rapid rise in international cricket.The victory was achieved within four days, demonstrating England’s dominance throughout the match. The hosts’ clinical attack, which also included contributions from Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, and Gus Atkinson, proved too much for the West Indies batsmen to handle.
Key points
- Shoaib Bashir took 5-41, becoming the youngest England bowler to take a five-wicket haul on home soil.
- England won the second Test by 241 runs, securing an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
- Joe Root and Harry Brook scored centuries to set up England’s victory.
- West Indies collapsed from 61-0 to 143 all out in their chase of 385.
