Bashir’s five-wicket haul Stokes as England sweep West Indies
As the 20-year-old off-spinner bowled England to a series-clinching win over the West Indies in the second Test at Trent Bridge on Sunday, Ben Stokes said Bashir had “showed the world” he belongs in international cricket. Bashir took 5-41 as the West Indies slumped to 143 all out on the fourth evening, with England winning by 241 runs to take a 2-0 lead in a three-match series. Bashir’s third five-wicket haul in five Tests was his first in England after two on spin-friendly Indian grounds earlier this year.
Bashir didn’t bowl a ball and was out for a duck during England’s 114-run first Test win against the West Indies at Lord’s, making his subsequent feats even more astonishing. Bashir quickly dismissed top-order batters Kirk McKenzie, Kavem Hodge, and Alick Athanaze before bowling Jason Holder a last man. Shamar Joseph as West Indies fell to 143 all out from 385 to win. ‘Pretty cool’ “I think Bash has done today is to show the world what he can do,” remarked Stokes.
“Look at what he did today on a surface that gave little for spinners all Test match. “He can vary tempo, produce over- and under-spin…He probably showcased all his tricks. He has incredible skill and a big ceiling. He has an incredible drive to improve and learn.” Stokes said “It’s really good for a young guy to come out and put in a performance that wins England a Test match, it’s pretty cool for him.” Despite his success in India, Bashir was unable to break into Somerset’s starting lineup due to Jack Leach’s expertise.
That led Bashir to join Worcestershire on loan last month, but England stuck with him. “The decisions we make are all based around not only how far we think their talent can take them, but whether we think they’re good enough for international cricket straight away,” he said. “I don’t want to sound like it’s a ‘I told you so’ kind of thing but it sort of is.” West Indies’ third Test at Edgbaston next week will be based on pride after defeat.
In Nottingham, they made 457 in reply to England’s first-innings 416 before Sunday’s remarkable decline, which saw all 10 of their second-innings wickets go in 23 overs. “The big positive was our first innings, scoring 400 runs was great,” remarked Brathwaite. Two losses are behind us, but we still have five Tests this year. So we keep learning and will be better off by year’s end with the right mindset.”
