ENG vs WI: Chris Woakes warns England against complacency in Nottingham Test

Chris Woakes said England cannot afford to sit back and relax in their second Test against the West Indies. At Trent Bridge in Nottingham, the home side are 207 runs ahead with seven wickets to spare in the second innings. Joe Root and Harry Brooks’ unbeaten 108-run stand have put the Three Lions in a healthy position after England surrendered a 41-run lead in the first innings.

Highlights of Day 3: ENG vs. WI

Woakes said West Indies have the potential to turn the game on its head. Woakes said if Root and Brook continue like this and build a strong partnership, England would be in a dominant position. But Woakes is also aware that the visitors are sensing their chances and will interfere with the English batting line-up early on the fourth day.

Also read: ENG vs WI: Root and Brook help England to a 207-run lead on Day 3

“We have to get going again”

“I never like to say we are ahead in a Test because half an hour can go against us and we are behind again. The fourth morning is going to be huge. If that partnership stretches to 150 or 200 then we take the game away. If West Indies take quick wickets then they will feel ahead again,” Woakes said in the post-day press conference.

“We have to step up again on Sunday to take the game away from the West Indies. Of course we want to score as many runs as possible and there are still two days to play,” said Woakes.

Woakes mentioned that England would like to have a go at batting against the West Indies on the fifth day if the pitch shows signs of indifferent bounce.

“We want to bowl as much as we can against them on day five, when the pitch might be a little worn. Sunday is a big day for us to extend the lead to 250 and 300 and hopefully we can go really far,” added Woakes.

England holds the record for the highest successful run chase in Nottingham when they scored 299 runs against New Zealand in 2022. West Indies hold the record by a visiting team, which they set back in 1980 with 208 runs.