PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, (Reuters) - England completed a seven-wicket win over West Indies on the fifth and final morning of the second Test yesterday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
Needing a further 28 runs for victory England, seeking their first series win in the Caribbean for 36 years, lost Nasser Hussain for five to the second ball of the morning.
However left-handers Mark Butcher and Graham Thorpe reached the victory target of 99 for England to retain the Wisden Trophy they won at home four years ago.
Butcher hit the winning runs to finish on 46 not out while Thorpe, top scorer with 90 in the first innings, struck three boundaries for an unbeaten 13.
England, who won the first Test in Jamaica by 10 wickets, are on the brink of history but captain Michael Vaughan said there would be no premature celebrations.
``We haven't won the series yet,'' he warned. ``We know the West Indies will come back. We just have to keep our heads, continue to work hard and not be complacent.''
West Indies manager Ricky Skerritt immediately announced his resignation, effective from the end of June this year.
Having dismissed West Indies for 208 early on the second morning, with fast bowler Steve Harmison taking six for 61, England stayed on top throughout the match.
A stand of 120 between Butcher and Hussain, that spanned days two and three, set the platform for England's first innings of 319 and a lead of 111, with Thorpe just missing his 14th Test century.
When wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs, promoted up the order above captain Brian Lara in a tactical move, hit a fine 70 to help West Indies to 158 for three, it looked as if they might set England a testing target.
But Simon Jones took five for 57 to trigger another West Indies collapse as their last seven wickets fell for 51 -- including Lara for eight -- leaving England with a comfortable target.
After rattling up 71 runs in just 10 overs on the fourth evening, England suffered a couple of early jitters when Hussain fell for five almost immediately and Thorpe offered a chance to Jacobs second ball only to be given a life.
But an off-drive for four from Butcher earned England a seven-wicket victory to put them on the verge of history.
WEST INDIES first innings 208 (C.Gayle 62; S.Harmison 6-61)
England first innings 319 (G.Thorpe 90, M.Butcher 61, N.Hussain 58)
West Indies second innings 209 (R.Jacobs 70; S.Jones 5-57)
ENGLAND second innings (overnight 71-2)
M.Trescothick b Best 4
M.Vaughan lbw b Sanford 23
M.Butcher not out 47
N.Hussain c Jacobs b Sanford 5
G.Thorpe not out 13
Extras: (b-4, lb-2, nb-1) 7
Total: (for three wickets, 15 overs) 99
Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-59, 3-71.
Bowling: Best 4-0-27-1, Collins 4-0-26-0, Sanford 4-1-32-2, Collymore 3-1-8-0 (nb-1).