Wisden Trophy Test Series
West Indies Vs England Third Test Played at Emirates Stadium, Old Trafford Manchester
(24-28 July 2020)
Brief Scorecard at Stumps Day-3:
(OJ Pope 91, JC Buttler 67, SCJ Broad 62, RJ Burns 57 KAJ Roach 4/72, RL Chase 2/32, ST Gabriel 2/77) and 2nd Innings 226/2 declared (RJ Burns 90, DP Sibley, JE Root 68*, Holder 1/24, R Chase 1/61)
West Indies 1st Innings 197 All Out (JO Holder 46, SO Dowrich 37, JD Campbell 32, JC Blackwood 26, JM Anderson 2/28, SCJ Broad 6/31, C Woakes 1/57, J Archer 1/72) and 2nd Innings 10/2 (SCJ Broad 2/8)
England Needs 8 wickets to Win the Test and the series.
England at stumps of day three has done everything they need doing for winning the series defining third test. West Indies replying to England’s 369 in the first innings could avoid following on reaching 199. England declared their second innings at 226/2 setting a mountain of 399 runs for the tourist to climb over a little over two days.
Weather forecast indicates the possibility of complete wash out of day four. West Indies at stumps of day three looked miserable at 2/10. The record in the past does not indicate only few teams only on exceptional circumstances winning overhauling such a huge score in the four innings. This West Indies team does not have three W’s, Brian Lara or Vivian Richards. Rain or not England looks firm favorites for winning the test winning the series and getting back Wisden Trophy back from West Indies.
West Indies played almost unchanged team for three tests played in quick succession. At the end of the series they were looking a little worn out legged and ragged. Holder limped off, Dowrich got a blow on his face . Gabriel was on and off the field.
On the other hand England rotating their pace bowlers over the three tests looking great. This test match will definitely go down in the history as one very special match dominated by Stuart Broad looking grumpy after getting dropped from the first test. He set the strong foundation for his team’s impregnable present position striking a impregnable 62 in 45 balls coming to bat at number 10 in England’s first innings. He then went on grabbing 6/31 in West Indies first innings. On the third morning West Indies appeared to be going close to England’s first innings as Root delayed bringing on the attack his champion bowler Broad on the attack. But when he came in four overs spell taking 4/14 he crashed West Innings 197 all out. England gained 172 runs lead.
Surprising all sun petered out through dark cloud for the first time in the test. West Indies attack lost venom and bite. England pacing the innings declared at 226/2 setting West Indies climbing run mountain of 399 for win or bat out for two days. Both seemed impossible given the present state of the match. West Indies situation got more pathetic at stumps when Broad added another two wickets to his tally as WI crashed to 10/2. There is forecast for possible heavy rain washing out day four. The fifth day in that case will have 98 overs. It seems well beyond West Indies grasp. But this is test cricket. Only fools can give 100 percent assurance in this game of glorious uncertainty.
As for the man Stuart Broad what a test match it is turning out! His proud father Chris Broad sitting in the chair of match referee witnessed how his son toyed with West Indies batting after blasting their attack with a flamboyant cameo with the bat. Broad is on 499 wickets in test. One more he will join the elite club of 500 wicket takers.
West Indies batsmen have opportunities for carving their names in gold in test history if they can bat to win the test or even escape defeat in the event of generous help from the nature.
BDST: 1531 HRS, JUL 27, 2020
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