Bashir has West Indies all in a spin

Somerset’s Shoaib Bashir had the West Indies all in a spin as a destructive spell helped England secure a series win on the fourth day of the second Test at Trent Bridge,

Off-spinner Bashir weaved his magic, claiming 3-8 in 15 deliveries, as the tourists disintegrated in their quest to chase down a total of 385.

Chris Woakes twice found the edge to remove openers Mikyle Louis and Kraigg Brathwaite, before Bashir got in on the act, eventually finishing with figures of 5-41 in the second innings as the Windies lost by 241 runs.

Earlier, Joe Root claimed his 32nd Test hundred with a knock of 122, one short of Sir Alastair Cook’s England record, while team-mate Harry Brook added 109 for his first Test ton in this country.

After the game, England captain Ben Stokes was quick to praise the efforts of Bashir, who became the youngest England bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a home test and the first spinner to take five in an innings at Trent Bridge since 2006.

“He has got so much talent and he’s got an unbelievable desire to get better,” said Stokes. “It’s really good for a young guy to put in a performance that wins England a Test. He was pretty emotional at the end, but it’s a pretty cool day for him.

“He has shown the world what he can do. His intent is to always take wickets and never just to hold an end up,”

England’s success gives them their first series win since the tour of Pakistan in 2022. Stokes’ side will now be looking to make it a 3-0 clean sweep when the final Test begins at Edgbaston on Friday.

‍