With Shivanarine Chanderpaul and captain Ramnaresh Sarwan out, though not an excuse, the West Indies nose dived to their worst defeat ever in Test cricket history. England completely devastated the West Indies comfortably winning by an innings and 283 runs.
England in their first and only necessary innings scored a massive 570 runs for seven wickets and then declared. West Indies in their turn at the crease could only muster a paltry 146. With 424 runs behind, the follow on was enforced, but the sorry display by the West Indies batsmen continued, being all out for 141 runs, by short of their first innings.England now takes a 1-0 lead in the Test series, and are definitely hoping they get some type of competition in the upcoming tests. The West Indies are showing how sorry of a state they are really in. Brian Lara definitely cannot be blamed for this defeat for the simple reason that he is retired. Dwayne Bravo is the only glimmer of hope in the two innings, scoring 50's in both innings.
Sidebottom, Plunkett and Harrison did the damage sending the West Indians scampering back to the pavillion as fast as the rain. There were many interruptions in this game with rain, with Sunday's play totally washed out. That makes this defeat even more embarrassing. West Indies Cricket Board will have heavy shoulders going forward as critics far and wide will be laying the blame on thick.
The third Test begins at Manchester on June 7, four days after the West Indies complete a tour-match against an MCC XI which starts on Friday at Chester-le-Street. Hopefully they might start the Third Test after a win against the MCC XI. Hope is all they have.
