West Indies slumped to defeat against England – Caribbean Life

West Indies was heavily defeated by an innings and 114 runs against England in the first Test of the three-match series at the Lord’s Cricket Ground,  London.

Gudakesh Motie, batting at nine, ended with the top score of 31 not out off 35 balls for the Caribbean side and enabling them to extend their second innings into the third day of the contest before they were bowled out for 136, just 15 more runs than they managed in the first innings.

England’s Test newcomer Gus Atkinson bagged three of the last four wickets and finished with five for 61 from 14 overs – and match figures of 12 for 106 to earn the Player-of-the-Match award.

The result enabled Anderson to bring down the curtain on an illustrious international career in style, playing in his 188th and final Test match, the 41-year-old Anderson ended with figures of three for 32 to end his career with 704 Test scalps

West Indies Captain Kraigg Brathwaite said there was nothing his team could do to reverse the result and now had to look ahead to the second Test starting at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

“[This result] quite disappointing, but it’s gone now,” he told reporters.  “We have two Test matches left in this series and we have got to look ahead, and we have got to stay mentally tough.”

With West Indies requiring 171 at the start of play to make England bat again, Joshua Da Silva became the final wicket for Anderson when he was caught behind for nine in the third over of the day after the Caribbean side resumed from their overnight total of 79 for six.

The West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman became the 704th wicket in Tests for Anderson, who leaves the international stage with the England record for wickets and the most by a pacer in the history of the format.

Anderson ended the innings with three for 32 from 16 overs and the match with four wickets to finish his career third on the all-time list for most successful bowlers behind deceased Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne, on 708, and Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, on 800.

Atkinson also got West Indies Vice-Captain, Alzarri Joseph caught for eight, Shamar Joseph bowled for three, and Jayden Seales caught also for eight.

Motie was the only player to put up any resistance and his effort was the highest individual score in the match for the visitors, and he almost handed Anderson his 705th Test scalp when he mistimed a straight drive back to the bowler.