Off the morale-sapping defeat in the second Test, West Indies will look to restore some pride when they face England in the third and final match of the series, starting on July 26 in Birmingham. Their surprise win over Australia earlier this year had harbingered hopes of a competitive series against England, which hopes were then dashed by two comprehensive English victories.
Right after the series loss, legendary commentator Ian Bishop gave some crucial advice to the Windies camp: “They have to pick themselves up,” said Ian Bishop in a video message posted by Windies Cricket. “I know it’s tough, especially after the first innings collapse in the second Test. But Edgbaston is still important for learning.”
Ian Bishop also spoke of the need to play with passion, not just because it was an inconsequential third Test, but also because another home series—against South Africa—was in the wings.
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“The Richards-Botham Trophy has gone,” he conceded, “but there’s a bigger picture. You represent the people of the West Indies. Play with pride in every game. That should be enough motivation, but if not, remember you face South Africa in a week. You want to go into that series with some confidence.”
England’s domination has been undoubted. They won the first Test by an innings and 114 runs. In the second Test, after West Indies did show some fight to coast to a mammoth 457 in the first innings, a horrific second innings collapse, where they lost 10 wickets for a mere 82 runs, led to their downfall by 241 runs.
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The Birmingham Test will again be an occasion for the Windies to regroup, show their resilience, and garner further experience before going into the home series against South Africa. With the Richards-Botham Trophy already out of grasp, there is a decent opportunity for building momentum and restoring some pride. Will the Windies heed Bishop’s call and rise to the challenge, or will England complete a clean sweep? Only time will tell.
