A revitalized West Indies team reclaimed the coveted Wisden Trophy for the first time in a decade after they produced another relentless display to crush a bewildered England by 10 wickets inside three days of the exciting second Test last weekend in Antigua.
The regional team has taken an unassailable 2-1 in the three Test series — the final to be played at the Darren Sammy Stadium in St. Lucia on Feb. 9.
On another day of high drama at the Sir Vivian Richards Ground when 14 wickets tumbled, the West Indies team was dismissed in its first inning for 306 about 25 minutes before lunch, but then routed England for 132 in their first innings.
Man-of-the Match fast bowler, Kemar Roach wrecked the England batting and snatched all four of his wickets early in the final session to claim 4 for 52 and match figures of 4 for 82 with captain Jason Holder picking up 4 for 43.
The last time the West Indies held the Wisden Trophy was 10 years ago when they got the better of England in the Caribbean.
This was England’s ninth Test match in Antigua without a single win. The West Indies team has now taken four, with five ending on drawn encounters.
West Indies was set 14 runs to win. Left-hander John Campbell smashed the 13th ball of the innings from veteran fast bowler, Jimmy Anderson over the midwicket for four runs to notch their first victory over a higher-rated team in seven years.
Resuming the day on 272 for 6, the West Indies lost their last four wickets for 34 runs, but importantly secured a 119-run first innings lead to put England under increased pressure. England had scored 132 all out in their first innings.
Left-hander Darren Bravo, in only his second Test following a 27-month break, converted his overnight 33 into exactly 50 — his 17th Test half-century. He took 216 balls in a shade over six hours, which included two fours and a six marking the slowest-ever half century by a West Indies batsman in Tests.
He was last out, stumped by off-spinner Moeen Ali (3-62).
When England replied, openers Joe Denly (17) and Rory Burns (16) then survived four tricky overs before lunch without loss, and extended their opening stand to 35 afterwards, with Roach and Shannon Gabriel proving effective.
The scene changed when Holder and Roach returned into the attack and they wrecked England’s top order with two wickets apiece, leaving the visitors in disarray on 75 for 4 at tea.
Still reeling from the 381-run crushing in the first Test in Barbados the week-end before, England failed to recover after the break as their last six wickets perished for 57 runs. They ended up scoring a paltry 132 — giving West Indies 14 runs for victory.
