TEST MATCH TALKING POINTS: Same old England and a significant five-wicket haul

The second day of the first Test between West Indies and England was, to put it mildly, pretty daft. TOM EDWARDS brings together some of the topics that will get tongues wagging...

New Year, New England? Nope.

England fans will have come into 2019 thinking that the Test side had well and truly turned a new leaf. They had not just beaten Sri Lanka away from home, they had beaten them 3-0. It had been comprehensive - the demons had been exorcised. So, so, so wrong.

England made it to lunch 30 for 1, but not long after the resumption of play they were 44 for 3. That soon became 44 for 4. This was not just a familiar feeling. This was a really familiar feeling.

At least there was still the lower order to come, where England’s batting really lies. Nope, not this time. England were out for 77, and their brittle batting was all too evident again.

This should not have come as surprise. England may won the Sri Lanka series 3-0, but it’s very worth bearing in mind that in only one of the three Tests (the final Test) did England’s top four take England past 100 in their first innings.

^{Joe Root leaves the field as England find themselves in all too familiar position}

A record low

England’s pathetic showing of 77 was the lowest ever Test score at the Kensington Oval, taking the unwanted record from India and Pakistan.

The previous record had been set by India who were skittled for 81 back in 1997, and that mammoth total was matched by Pakistan a decade later.

It was not, however, England’s lowest ever total against the West Indies. That was achieved back in the heady days of 1994 when England were bowled out for just 46 in Trinidad.

This England side can take heart from the fact that it wasn’t even the second-lowest, it was the fourth. Silver linings and all that.

^{At least 77 wasn't the lowest score England have managed against the West Indies}

Spoilt for five-wicket-hauls

Kemar Roach and James Anderson both took five-wicket-hauls during the second day and, for a brief moment, it looked like we might see a third as the West Indies floundered in their second innings.

Anderson’s 5-46 was his 27th in Test cricket, and drew him level with Sir Ian Botham for the England record. It also means he now has more than any other player currently playing Test cricket (Dale Steyn has 26).

Anderson’s effort was, however, completely overshadowed by Roach. The West Indies fast bowler took 5-17 during England’s calamitous response and was at one point on a hat-trick having dismissed both Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali for a duck.

Roach seems to love bowling at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. Though this was his first ever five-wicket haul at the ground, his record there is superb.

In six matches he has taken 29 wickets at an average of 15.06, which included opposition like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

^{Kemar Roach loves bowling in Barbados}

Moeen Ali might just be a bowler now

The blame for the English batting collapse cannot lay squarely on the shoulders of one player. It really was a team effort. However, there was only one golden duck in it - Moeen Ali.

Moeen’s bowling was a vital part of England’s successes against both India and Sri Lanka in 2018, and he came to the fore again during West Indies seond innings. However, the idea of him being a genuine allrounder seems to fading into the distance.

Over the last 12 months Ali has averaged just 17.30 with the bat, while his career average is now sitting at 30.59 and is perilously close to dropping into the 20s.

The opposite has been the case with his bowling. In the same period, Moeen has taken 34 wickets at an average of 24.76, which contrasts significantly with his career average of 37.08.