by Mick the Ram

After a greatly improved showing in the first three days of the second Test against England, the West Indies completely capitulated in the final session of day-four, to fall to another defeat.

They had shown great resilience and determination to overhaul their opponents first innings total at Trent Bridge, with a wonderful century from Kavem Hodge, supported by Alick Athanaze and Joshua da Silva, restoring some pride after the humiliation suffered at Lords just over a week ago.

Joe Root and Harry Brook hit centuries when England batted again, after Ollie Pope had done the same in the first innings, as they posted a second score above 400 to set the visitors an demanding 385 to win.

However, after a promising opening partnership – which again passed 50 – raised hopes of an unlikely victory, the wheels well and truly came off from 61-0 as wickets tumbled and the side were bowled out for just 143 to lose by 241 runs.

Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was responsible for a lot of the damage, claiming 5 wickets in a test for the first time, as the West Indies suddenly made a placid pitch appear almost unplayable.

The win gives England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, but the West Indies will go to Edgbaston next week for the concluding game with some encouraging signs, aside from the calamitous second innings showing.

Win was not out of the question

For large parts of the contest the West Indies were right in it and will have believed they could even force a win, but in the end the target was beyond them, and they will be extremely disappointed at how their second innings unravelled.

Mikyle Louis and Kraigg Brathwaite had posted a second half-century opening stand and with plenty of time, it was not out of the question for them to lay the foundation for a victory charge on Day five.

Bowling just too good

However, when Chris Woakes removed the pair of them in quick succession, the side folded like a pack of cards.

Bashir bowled a magnificent spell and the 20-year-old became the youngest England bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a home Test and the first spinner to take five in an innings at Trent Bridge since 2006.

Mark Wood returned to frighten the life out of the middle-order and between them they dismantled the West Indies in a session of 36.1 overs from tea.

Excellent batting showed fighting spirit

The way that the tourists batted first time around should have been a confidence-booster, especially young Hodge, who batted superbly for his 120. It was a shame that Da Silva was unable to make a century too, but unfortunately he was left stranded on 82, but the total of 457 was their largest in England for almost 30 years.

Hodge stated after his first innings that he had learned from the Lords Test match where he believed he had been too aggressive in his approach.

He said he was especially pleased to see off Wood’s barrage of 90mph deliveries, but did admit that when he reached 97 everything became a blur. “I kind of blacked out” he said, before adding: “I was still pinching myself even after the celebration, it was like a dream.”

Disappointment for the captain

Skipper Brathwaite said he could not be satisfied with the overall performance, considering the way the side fell away in the second innings. He felt the effort was there, but the discipline was missing.

He spoke about crucial dropped catches, but insisted they would learn from the game and will strive to have more control with their line and length.

Quick turn around

Gudakesh Motie, who was one of the few to emerge from the first Test with any credit, was absent for this match due to a bout of flu and his bowling was a big miss.

It will be hoped that he will be able to sufficiently shake off his illness in time to return for the third and final Test, which begins on Friday 26 July.