Anderson finished with figures of 4-43 off 22 overs
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
England pace bowler James Anderson took four wickets on the fifth day of the second Test in Grenada to lead his side to an incredible nine-wicket win.
Anderson was well supported by batsman Gary Ballance, who made 81 not out, and captain Alastair Cook, who scored an unbeaten 59.
Starting out the day on 202/2, the West Indies’ top, middle and lower order absolutely collapsed as they were bowled out for 307, which set England a simple target of 143 to win.
Anderson inflicted the most damage as he took four wickets, while Moeen Ali snapped up three and Stuart Broad and Chris Jordan chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Chasing 143 to win, England got off to a horrible start as opener Jonathan Trott was clean bowled by Shannon Gabriel for a duck.
However, that was to be England’s only setback as Ballance and Cook amassed an unbeaten 142-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, to lead their side to victory.
Ballance’s brilliant form with the bat continued
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Ballance finished on 81 off 126 balls, which included eight boundaries and two sixes, while Cook remained undefeated on 59 off 121 deliveries, which included eight boundaries.
Cook hit eight boundaries during his unbeaten knock of 59
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Gabriel was the only bowler to take a wicket.
West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin was disappointed to have lost, and said: “We fought hard for four days, but that one session cost us the Test. That spell from James Anderson took it away from us. Brathwaite batted well and if he could have carried on [who knows what could have happened]. It’s hard to take, but well done to England. They had some conditions in their favour on the first day, then the pitch got better.”
Cook was delighted to have won the series 1-0, and said: “Most important thing is the win. Took a lot of effort on that wicket. It was a great effort, the attitude, character and a lot of skill. Once we got one wicket we felt it would be testing for the West Indies. Credit to Jimmy, that was an outstanding spell. I can’t fault the lads over the five days. To be on the good end is fantastic. The way Rooty played, and Gary, they are taking run-making to a new level for England. You can always improve but the lads were brilliant. I want to thank all the fans, it means so much to the guys, and our friends and family.”
Joe Root was named Man of the Match, and said: “Certainly feels a lot better with the win behind us. We’ve been ruthless today. Great to take forward for the rest of the series and the summer. I just try to be busy from the off. I want to be greedy, as well. Graham Gooch taught us about daddy hundreds. To win Tests you have to bat big.”