ENGLAND V WEST INDIES SECOND TEST - SUPERB WEST INDIES WIN!

Being one of those who criticise the West Indies Test Team for their dismal performance against England during the First Test.  

It is only fitting that I should unreservedly Congratulate them for having engineered a superb and masterfully executed win against England in the Second Test.

Having dismissed England for just over 250 runs during their first innings, and then themselves made over 400 runs in their first innings.  

The West Indies gave every indication of making a commendable fight to win the Second Test and square the series. 

To be fair, they had been expected to make more than 400 runs in their first innings, after Brathwaite and Hope steadied the faltering ship. Following the cheap dismal of  2 or 3 batsmen who, for some unknown reason, were in a hurry to get back to the Pavilion. 

Shai Hope and Kraigg Brathwaite subsequently applied their cricketing skills and performed brilliantly. Resulting in both of them making centuries. 

Some tenacious batting from some of the lower order West Indian cricketers, then helped the West Indians to progressed to reaching a first innings lead of over 100 runs against England.

Things began to look less positive for the West Indies when their bowling attack against England failed to result in the falling wickets they had hoped for and expected. 

It was hard going for them, as England took control and amassed over 400 runs, before declaring just short of 500 runs on fourth day of the Test, with Roots and Ali again serving their Team well.

Some commentators surmised on the unlikelihood, if not improbability of the West Indies winning, if they had 300 or more runs to make on the final day. 

They had to make 322, which might have made their task seemed that bit more unlikely, though not impossible, when a team is firing on all cylinders, as it were. 

When the West Indies Team, every member of it of it and supporting staff, are doing their job with pride and competency. 

As they have done, with, to be fair, a number of lack of concentration by some of the batsmen, including Brathwaite, Blackwood and others, and chances given by drop catches by England, during the Second Test.

And so it was, that the Second Test Match of the current series between England and the West Indies was a thoroughly professional, classic and entertaining bouts of cricket. 

With Shai Hope having, as well as playing a big part in his Team's winning performance, made history, by being the first cricketer in 127 years, to score a century in each innings of a test at Headingley Test Grounds.

All in all, both teams had played well, with the West Indians having played just that bit better and having a bit more good fortune or luck that the English players.

C L R James, that great West Indian author, whose love of cricket is attested to in his book, Beyond A Boundary, would have been most proud of the West Indian players, and complementary of the English players. 

Because, although James is from the West Indies, like all 'true cricketing fan', he appreciates good cricketing, by whoever and wherever it is displayed.

Which is probably also how it was for all those who had been and will be watching the brilliant performance by the West Indies Team. 

A team, which, as their coach has noted, is still a team in progress. Their display in this test has been consistent, with all of their players endeavouring to make their contributions.  And not leaving it up to the more 'gifted players' to make theirs and others contributions. 

Which is how it needs to be, if the West Indies are ever to regain their claim to be amongst the greatest national cricketing teams.