West Indies answered their critics with a miraculous victory against England in the Second Test at Headingley, England on Tuesday.
It was their first Test win in England in 17 years after scoring an improbable 322 runs to win the match on the final day just before the close of the day’s play with eight overs to spare.
Barbadian Shai Hope became the first player in 127 years of first class cricket at Headingley to score a century in both innings.
Coming on the heels of an embarrassing defeat in the first Test inside three days last week where West Indies lost l9 wickets on the third day at Edgbaston, they were determined not to suffer a similar loss.
West Indies rewrote the history books as they chased 322 runs on the final day, to deny England their second straight win in the three-Test series at 1-1, ahead of the final match at Lord’s starting at Sept. 7, 2017.
Hope scored and unbeaten 118 to spearhead the run chase, while opener Kraigg Braithwaite struck an excellent 95. The pair put on 144 for the third wicket, a stand that pulled the West Indies from danger at 53 for two in the morning session.
Jermaine Blackwood chipped in with an attacking 41 off 54 balls which further embellished the innings, while Roston Chase made 30 to also lend support.
Captain Joe Root’s declaration on the fourth day (490 for 8) with six overs remaining in the day’s play backfired as he felt that the Windies could not score 320 runs on the final day.
England had bounced back in the second innings after they were bowled out in the first innings for 258. However, they went past West Indies score of 427 and scored 490 for 8 declared, leaving West Indies to score 322 for victory.
