West Indies pulled off an astonishing chase at Headingley on Tuesday to beat England by five wickets in the second Test to level the three-match series at one-all.
Chasing a total of 322, West Indies reached their target in fading light late on day five with Shai Hope hitting a brilliant unbeaten 118 while opener Kraigg Brathwaite contributed a vital 95.
After the openers had put on 46, England took two quick wickets as Kieran Powell (23) and Kyle Hope (0) fell to leave the visitors in trouble at 53/2.
However, Brathwaite and Shai Hope, who both scored centuries in the first innings total of 427, put on 144 for the third wicket to settle some nerves.
Roston Chase (30) then joined S.Hope to add 49 as the Windies started to believe they could get the target but a superb catch by England 12th man Mason Crane to dismiss Chase put a spanner in the works.
Jermaine Blackwood was positive as he slashed his way to 41 off 45 balls to send the home team’s fielders scurrying all over Headingley before he was out stumped with two runs still needed.
All the while S.Hope was composed at the other end and went to his second ton the game, and his career, and hit the winning runs with more than six overs of the Test still remaining.
It was the fourth highest ever run-chase in Test cricket by the West Indies and also the third highest in England.
The third and final Test, also the series decider, starts at Lord’s on Thursday 7 September.
