For the third consecutive year, inclement weather severely affected the Headingley Test match. No play was possible on either the first or fourth days. Two uninterrupted days of rain on Wednesday and Thursday transformed the ground into a patchwork of small lakes. Play was officially abandoned at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday—a decision announced via the public address system. Remarkably, due to the tireless efforts of the ground staff, play resumed at 2:45 p.m. on Friday, highlighting their commendable resilience.
England’s Fragile
First Innings
West Indies, under the captaincy of Vivian Richards—who
stood in for the injured Clive Lloyd—chose to field first. This continued the
trend of England batting first in all five matches of the series. Unfortunately
for the hosts, their batting performance was dismal. They were bowled out for
just 143 runs in under three and a half hours, marking their lowest total of
the series. David Bairstow, chosen over Alan Knott, top-scored with a brave 40
at number eight, while Ian Botham offered a fleeting display of aggression. However,
the remainder of the batting order collapsed under pressure, underlining
England's vulnerability.
Return of Key West
Indian Pacers
The weather delay proved advantageous for the visitors. It
gave Joel Garner and Colin Croft—their premier fast bowlers—sufficient time to
recover from injuries. Garner had been nursing a strained shoulder, while Croft
was sidelined with thigh muscle damage since the fourth Test. Alarmed by the
fast-bowling crisis, West Indies manager Clyde Walcott had attempted, albeit
unsuccessfully, to recruit Wayne Daniel and Sylvester Clarke as emergency
replacements. Ultimately, the only change from the previous lineup was the
inclusion of King in place of Lloyd.
Gritty Batting in
Gothic Conditions
Saturday, the third day of the match, was overshadowed by
unrelenting grey clouds reminiscent of *Wuthering Heights*. Despite the gloomy
conditions, the West Indian batsmen showed determination. Greenidge and Haynes
produced an 83-run opening stand—their best in the series. Haynes’s gritty 42,
compiled in adverse and unfamiliar conditions, earned him the Man of the Match
award. A notable lower-order contribution came from Holding and Croft, who
added 38 runs for the final wicket. West Indies ended with a total of 245,
gaining a lead of 102.
Injuries Continue to
Plague the Match
England’s bowling attack suffered setbacks. Derek Pringle
failed to make an impression, and Ian Botham chipped a bone in his right hand
attempting a slip catch. Rose, meanwhile, pulled a thigh muscle while turning
on the damp outfield. Only Graham Dilley stood out, claiming 4 for 79.
England’s Second
Innings Fightback
Boycott and Gooch opened England’s second innings and safely
negotiated the early overs before bad light ended play on Saturday. On Monday,
persistent rain returned, causing another abandonment at 2:00 p.m. This dashed
England’s slim hopes of levelling the series, reducing the match to a two-result
scenario: either a draw or a West Indian win.
Final Day: England
Salvage a Draw
Tuesday offered a full day’s play. By tea, England had lost
their fifth wicket with only a 72-run lead, making a West Indian victory
plausible. However, Derek Rose—batting with Gooch as a runner due to his
injury—struck Croft for three boundaries in a single over, easing the mounting
pressure. Though Holding dismissed Willey soon after the interval, Bairstow
remained composed and partnered with Rose to secure the draw. With that, the West
Indies acknowledged they would have to settle for their series win from the
first Test at Trent Bridge.
Garner’s Triumph and
Arlott’s Farewell
Garner, despite being able to bowl only a single over in the
second innings due to a recurring shoulder injury, was named Man of the Series.
His tally of 26 wickets at an average of 14.26 was instrumental in the West Indies’
dominance. The award was presented by veteran broadcaster John Arlott, who was
covering his final Test at Headingley.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
No comments:
Post a Comment