The second Test in the three-match series between England and the West Indies began at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Thursday, July 18. After the West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl first, England produced a scintillating batting display, headlined by Ollie Pope, Ben Duckett, and Ben Stokes.
Alzarri Joseph gave the tourists the ideal start as he dismissed Zak Crawley off the third ball of the match. However, Duckett and Pope joined forces and helped England break their own record for the fastest team 50 in Test cricket, reaching the landmark in just 26 balls. The southpaw was the more aggressive batter in a 105-run partnership, which came off just 112 balls.
Also Read: England amass fastest team Test fifty in 26 balls against West Indies
Duckett notched up his half-century off just 32 balls, fastest for an England opener in the Test arena. He got out for a 59-ball 71 after belting 14 boundaries. Pope, however, went on displaying his wide range of strokes and brought up his century in the second session. Alzarri ended his fluent knock of 121 off 167 deliveries after he had hit 15 fours and a solitary six.
Root was dismissed cheaply but Harry Brook played a breezy 36-run knock off 34 balls. Stokes contributed nicely as he slammed a 104-ball 69 before being dismissed by Kavem Hodge. Jamie Smith and Chris Woakes got starts but departed for 36 (54) and 37 (48), respectively.
Also Read: ‘It’s simple, we’ve just got to put runs on the board’ – Kraigg Brathwaite optimistic about Windies’ chances in 2nd Test vs England
After reaching a commanding 281/4, it seemed that England would not be dismissed below the 400-run mark, however it did seem so when they slipped to 370/8. However, Woakes’ contribution helped them get to 416 before being bowled out in the penultimate over of the day.
The West Indies wouldn’t be too unhappy with themselves because they managed to pick wickets throughout the day but they conceded a few too many runs for their liking. Kraigg Brathwaite will rue the chances that his side put down during the day as England could have been dismissed much earlier. However, the visitors will need to put the disappointing fielding effort behind them and look to put on a solid batting show on Day 2.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to the action on Day 1:
Loving this bazball style of batting from England. Ben Duckett is batting on 38 in 17 balls. England scored 55-1 in 5 overs against West Indies. pic.twitter.com/q0PYgo5GZV
— Faiz Fazel (@theFaizFazel) July 18, 2024
History Alert 🚨 in Test Cricket 🏏
England 🏴 became the Fastest Team to score 50 Runs in just 4.2 Overs against West Indies 🌴 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham#ENGvWI #Bazball pic.twitter.com/UapU7bILZa
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) July 18, 2024
Fastest Test fifties for England (by balls faced)
28 – Ian Botham vs India, Delhi, 1981
30 – Jonny Bairstow vs New Zealand, Headingley, 2022
32 – Ian Botham vs New Zealand, The Oval, 1986
32 – Ben Duckett vs West Indies, Trent Bridge, 2024— cric. mani7 (@p_manikumaran) July 18, 2024
England bowled out for 416 and that is stumps on day 1.
An interesting days play with the West Indies after the first hour consistently chipping away and not letting England score (relatively) too many runs. #ENGvsWI— Yosef Mordechai Coleman (@yosecakes) July 18, 2024
Get every cricket updates! Follow Us:
