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England are taking on West Indies in the second Test of the three-match series at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The hosts are coming off a dominant victory in the first Test at Lord’s where they won the contest by an innings and 114 runs. They will again be hoping for yet another victory in 🧜order to seal ꦬthe series.
A poor start for England
West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl first on a track that appeared perfect for batting conditions and is considered one of the best batting wickets in England. Nonetheless, Alzarri Joseph, with the new ball, three slips, and a gully, left his mark immediately, justifying captain Kraigg Brathwaite’s decision as he dismissed star opener Zak Crawley for a duck in the opening over.
Joseph’s over began impressively. He first delivered a length ball that hit the deck hard and shaped away slightly after pitching, passing the edge of Crawley’s bat. The follow-up ball was a bouncer that surprised Crawley, hitting him on the chest.
On the third ball, Joseph delivered a stunner, claiming Crawley’s prized scalp. A back-of-length delivery on off got steep bounce and squared up Crawley. The late away movement was enough to catch an edge, and Alick Athanaze at third sli𒆙p made no mistake, taking a superb catchꦗ low to his left.
Also READ: David Lloyd criticizes England for allegedly ‘🍌forcing’💮 James Anderson into retirement
England scripts history in Test cricket
Despite losing Crawley early with no runs on the scoreboard, England went on to make history thanks to their much-discussed bazball approach. Ben Duckett led the charge, guiding his side past 50 runs in just 4.2 overs. This feat made England the fastest team to reach 50 runs in Test history, surpassing their own record set in 2002 against Sri Lanka in Manchꩵester when they reached 50 runs in 5 overs. Meanwhile in the ongoing second Test against the Caribbeans, b🧸y the end of 5 overs, England had scored 55/1, with Duckett (38) leading the way.
Fastest team fifty in Test cricket
- 4.2 overs – England vs West Indies at Nottingham, 2024
- 5.0 overs – England vs Sri Lanka at Manchester, 2002
- 5.2 overs – Sri Lanka vs Pakistan at Karachi, 2004
