The West Indies finally made it count in a Test match and how. The Caribbean islands, which were underperforming for the past decade or so in the longest format of the game, were finally able to make it count with a historic win against England in the Test series.
The victory required a chase of 322 runs and it was completed by Shai Hope, who had a fantastic test, scoring a century in each of the innings. Not many would have expected the Windies to go through considering the strong bowling line-up of the Three Lions and the large score at hand.
Sluggish start:
The chase began with Kieran Powell falling to Stuart Broad as Ben Stokes plucked a catch to give England an early breakthrough. Soon, Kyle Hope too, fell for a duck and the Windies were in trouble at 53/2. However, what followed was an extraordinary display of power hitting and sensible batting that was reminiscent of the Windies of yore.
A 144-run partnership between first innings heroes Kraiff Brathwaite and Shai Hope put the wind back in their sails and Brathwaite fell at 95 unfortunately. Hope batted with calm and skill to record his second century of the match and edge the Windies closer to the target. Batting with Roston Chase, who was on 30, Hope bought the target closer until Chase perished.
He then stitched another partnership with Jermaine Blackwood and finished the game off to script a historic victory and equal the 3-match series 1-1. Traditionally, chasing 300+ on a fifth day pitch is extremely difficult, but the West Indies pulled off an upset at the home of cricket.
Twitter had a lot to say following the valiant chase. Take a look:
https://twitter.com/HashTagCricket/status/902577104042180608
I can’t immediately think of a more astonishing Test win in recent years. And a more heart-warming one. #ENGvWI
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) August 29, 2017
Huge moment in contemporary West Indies cricket. The stunning arrival of the very impressive Shai Hope. Now to do it more frequently
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 29, 2017
When all is lost, never lose Hope!
What a match. Gotta catch my Brath,waith! #WIvENG #wow— Rohit Nair (@Wazzaronair) August 29, 2017
All square! A sensational final day batting performance sees West Indies win the 2nd Test in the fading light by 5 wickets #EngvWI pic.twitter.com/Ixnx74lvNL
— ICC (@ICC) August 29, 2017
Two to win. And not a single Kumble in the West Indian team with a camera #ENGvWIN
— The Goan Patiala ?. ? (@TheGoanPatiala) August 29, 2017
What about 2 divisions in test match cricket??? Cmon West Indies!!! #ENGvsWI
— Bazid Khan (@bazidkhan81) August 29, 2017
This is one of the best Tests I’ve seen in a long time. It’s had everything. Kudos to both teams and Headingley. Fantastic drama..#ENGvsWI
— Rob Williams (@robwilliams_tv) August 29, 2017
Never want England to lose a match – but a part of me would love West Indies to pull this off. #ENGvWI
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 29, 2017
https://twitter.com/HashTagCricket/status/902578510564286464
https://twitter.com/HashTagCricket/status/902582417919156225
England must be hating anyone with the name Brathwaite.
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) August 29, 2017
