Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.
Venue- National Cricket Stadium, Grenada [March 2022].
In the summer of 2022 English Cricket Team toured West Indies to play 3 test matches. The first two tests ended in a draw and all eyes were now set in Grenada which was to host the final test. The visitors came close to win the second test, but somehow the men in maroon survived their second innings which kept the series 0-0. In the ultimate test, West Indian Captain Kraigg Brathwaite won the toss and elected to field first. The English struggled to bat on the Grenada wicket as they were reduced to 114/9 in 53 overs. However, Jack Leach and Saqib Mahmood fought hard as the English ended up scoring 204 in their first innings. The duo of Leach and Saqib added 90 runs and survived almost 37 overs which gave some hope to the visitors.
In response the Windies scored 297 in their first innings. Joshua Da Silva scored a fighting 100 of 257 deliveries as the Hosts managed to get a vital 93 runs lead. It is interesting to note that at one stage the Windies were struggling at 95/6. However, their lower order came to their rescue which added up around 202 runs. The 93 runs lead is not a very big lead in test cricket, but English failed miserably in their second innings as they were bowled out for just 120 runs. Kyle Mayers led from the front as he dismissed 5 English Batsmen.
West Indies needed just 28 runs to win the test and the series. It was an easy task as the Hosts chased down the target without losing any wicket. Joshua Da Silva was awarded the player of the match award as the Windies lifted the inaugural Richards Botham Trophy.
[Postscript- After losing the series Joe Root resigned from the test captaincy. The ECB appointed Brendon McCullum as the new coach of the English Test Team. Whereas Ben Stokes took over as the captain of the side. The Duo of Baz and Stokes redefined the Red Ball Game and ushered a revolution in Test Cricket. The defeat in Grenada resulted in the beginning of BazBall Cricket.]
To watch the highlights of this test, click on the URLs below-
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