Shoaib Bashir. (Photo Source: BCCI)
Shoaib Bashir impressed everyone with his debut outing against India when England toured the subcontinent in January. He is currently playing his maiden series at home and in the second Test against West Indies, the spinner dazzled with a fifer as the host outclassed the Windies by 241 runs at the Trent Bridge on July 21. England captain, Ben Stokes, praised the young talent and asserted that he has proved himself globally.
The Trent Bridge wicket aided the seamers with ample bounce and movement as England pacers picked eight wickets combined in the first innings. The second innings proved to be disastrous for the visitors as Bashir dismantled the middle order. Stoked highlighted that the deck had no offering for a spinner throughout the game and Bashir did well to show his prowess with the ball.
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“I think what Bash has done today is to show the world what he can do. That wicket hardly offered anything for a spinner throughout the whole Test match and look at what he was able to do today,” said Stokes at the post-match presentation.
What shouldn’t get lost in all this is that partnership between Brook and Root: Stokes
Another highlight of the game for England was the batting performance in the second innings. Particularly, Joe Root and Harry Brook put up an 189-run stand for the fourth wicket as England managed to generate a hefty lead of 384 runs in the second innings. The duo departed after scoring, 122 and 109 respectively as bowlers did their job while defending. Stokes credited the batters and noted that the contribution was as important as any other.
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“What shouldn’t get lost in all this is that partnership between Brook and Root last night when the ball was swinging. We played well today again and if we are being brutally honest, we could have got more in the first innings. Nevertheless, chasing 380 odd in the 4th innings is never easy,” he added.