Chris Woakes said that England cannot afford to take a backseat and relax in their second Test against the West Indies. At Trent Bridge in Nottingham, the home team has a lead of 207 runs with seven wickets left in their second innings. Joe Root and Harry Brook’s unbeaten 108-run stand have put the Three Lions in a healthy position after England conceded a lead of 41 runs in the first innings.
Woakes said that West Indies have the potential to turn the match on its head. Woakes said that if Root and Brook carry on and build a big partnership, England would be in a commanding position. But Woakes is also aware of the visitors fancying their chances and making inroads into the English batting lineup early on Day 4.
“I never like to say we’re in front in a Test, because half an hour can go against us, and we’re behind the game again. The fourth morning will be huge. If that partnership is extended to 150 or 200, then we’re taking the game away. If West Indies take quick wickets they will feel ahead again,” Woakes said in the post-day press conference.
“We have to kick on again on Sunday to take the game away from West Indies. Naturally, we want as many runs as possible and there’s still two days to play,” Woakes said.
Woakes mentioned that England would want to have a crack at the West Indies batting on Day 5 when the pitch shows signs of indifferent bounce.
“We want to be bowling at them as much as possible on day five, when the pitch could wear a little. Sunday is a big day for us, to build the lead up to 250 and 300, then hopefully we can make it really big,” Woakes added.
England hold the record for the highest successful run chase in Nottingham, chasing down 299 against New Zealand back in 2022. West Indies hold the record by a visiting team that they made way back in 1980 by chasing 208.
