England received another jolting reality check as they surrendered the second Test, and with the it the series, to a rampant West Indies side in Antigua.
Trounced by 381 runs in Barbados last week, they were swept aside in three days at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, meekly subsiding to a 10-wicket defeat.
Bowled out for 132 in a fraction over 42 overs, the tourists set a paltry target of 14 and were finished off in fitting style as John Campbell clubbed James Anderson for six into the party stand.
A very disappointing defeat. Scorecard: https://t.co/mUEgFU8P9O#WIvENG pic.twitter.com/PM6VNNjNnu — England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 2, 2019
Although outclassed across the board by this newly confident Caribbean collective the most pressing concerns surround England's desperately limp batting. Their latest modest total – following scores of 77, 246 and 187 – contained a string of weak dismissals that left question marks over both application and aptitude for the format.
They had been shown how to bat on an admittedly unpredictable pitch by the hosts, not least Darren Bravo, who shelved his attacking instincts to grind out Test cricket's slowest half-century in 21 years over 216 painstaking deliveries.
Their batsman had no such patience when faced with the brilliance of Kemar Roach and Jason Holder, who took four wickets apiece, but special credit belongs to 22-year-old Alzarri Joseph, who overcame the personal tragedy of his mother's death to play a crucial part in proceedings. Sharon Joseph passed away in the hours before play began and the seam bowler was offered the chance to take time away from the match.
Despite being visibly and understandably emotional during the warm-ups, he took his place in the batting order and claimed the key wicket of Joe Root as well as opener Joe Denly.
England, joining their opponents in wearing black armbands as a sign of respect, began the day by taking four wickets for 34, leaving the Windies 306 all out and 119 ahead.
Holder and Roach both succumbed to Anderson's probing outside off stump, and Joseph was warmly clapped on to the field before being ousted for seven by Ben Stokes. All three would have more to say soon with ball in hand.
Bravo was last man out, continuing a five-and-a-half hour vigil which began on the second afternoon and became the slowest West Indian 50 in history. That he fell stumped charging Moeen Ali made it a true curio of an innings.
Barring Root, that is a filthy set of dismissals in the match circumstances — Rory Dollard (@thervd) February 2, 2019
England's opening pair somehow negotiated a fierce opening blast with the new ball – including at least one terrifying bouncer from Roach to Rory Burns and a drop at fine-leg that saved Denly on nought. His decision to pull a short one from Shannon Gabriel was the first, but far from final, irresponsible stroke.
Burns let his guard down when Holder entered the fray, leaning back and inexplicably guiding his first delivery straight to third slip. Bairstow also fell to the home captain, mis-timing a couple of balls and responding by aiming a mighty drive at the next full delivery. With a yawning gap on offer, he promptly lost his off stump.
The spotlight then fell to the courageous Joseph, who got one to nip back into Root before scurrying through to the wicketkeeper. The bowler appeared largely disinterested but the entire cordon felt differently and DRS showed a hint of glove before a heavier touch off the thigh pad.
There was no doubt about his second wicket, Denly dramatically mis-judging a leave and allowing his stumps to be scattered.
Joseph should also have picked off Stokes for a duck, Campbell dropping a gentle one, but the England all-rounder did not cash in.
Returning after tea with England still 44 adrift he pieced together 11 runs before driving lavishly and into his own stumps off the relentless Roach.
Moeen waited all of seven balls before repeating the folly, missing entirely as Roach rattled the timbers again.
The writing was on the wall, with England's willingness to fight for a fourth day the only remaining question. That was seemingly answered when Ben Foakes and Jos Buttler were both trapped lbw in the space of four balls.
Stuart Broad and Anderson lasted nine more between them, leaving the slenderest of chases behind.
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