England thumps West Indies by 241 runs, Climbs World Test Championship standings
England cricket team thumped West Indies in the second Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. This win secured a commanding 2-0 lead in the 3-match series. This win also propels them up the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship standings.
The hosts secured a convincing 241-run victory, wrapping things up on the 4th day. Spinner Shoaib Bashir played a crucial role, taking five wickets for just 41 runs, his third career 5-wicket haul. This phenomenal bowling performance restricted the West Indies to a meager 143 runs, falling far short of the 385-run target needed for victory.
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With this victory, England takes a firm grip on the series. They have a golden opportunity to complete a clean sweep when the final Test commences in Birmingham on Friday.
World Test Championship
The win propels England up the World Test Championship standings. They leapfrog South Africa, Bangladesh, and the West Indies, landing comfortably in 6th place.
Currently, England holds 31.25% of possible points from their last 12 Tests. They still have 10 crucial Tests remaining before the year ends. These matches will determine whether they can secure a spot in the World Test Championship final, scheduled to be held at Lord’s Cricket Ground next year.
Come for the cold cover-drive 🥶
Stay for the return of the ramp 😍
Every @Root66 boundary… pic.twitter.com/u1MkE7HmAh— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 21, 2024
England has never qualified for the World Test Championship final in its two editions so far. However, with victories in all their remaining matches, they could potentially rise as high as 62.5% in the standings, putting them firmly in contention.
Following the final Test against the West Indies, England has a jam-packed schedule. They host Sri Lanka for a three-Test series on home soil starting at the end of August. This will be followed by tours of Pakistan in October and New Zealand in November-December, with both tours featuring three Tests each.
The West Indies, on the other hand, find themselves dropping down the standings after their disappointing performance at Trent Bridge. Their win-loss percentage currently stands at a low of 22.22%. They have seven remaining Tests in this cycle, including the final Test against England, two Tests against South Africa, two against Bangladesh, and two against Pakistan.
The West Indies will be hoping to bounce back and secure some crucial wins in the upcoming matches. Notably, they are looking to regain the services of spinner Gudakesh Motie, who missed the second Test due to illness.
England has opted for continuity, naming an unchanged squad for the final Test against the West Indies. This indicates their confidence in the current playing XI and their desire to maintain their winning momentum.
England are on the verge of a series sweep and also have the chance to climb up the World Test Championship standings. With a packed schedule ahead, England will be aiming to capitalize on their current form and secure a berth in the prestigious World Test Championship final at Lord’s.
