Underdogs West Indies humble England in first Test

A fighting 95 by Jermaine Blackwood, propelled the West Indies to victory over England by four wickets on the final day of the first Test at the Ageas Bowl, last Sunday, in England.

West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood smashes the ball to the boundary during his knock of 95 against England. Blackwood’s knock anchored the West Indies innings, as they reached 200 for 6 to win the match in the final session.

The 28-year-old Blackwood anchored the West Indies innings, as they reached 200 for 6 in the final session.

It was a stand-out performance from Blackwood, who made a return to the team for the first time in 10 months.

He came to the crease with the West Indies tottering at 27 for 3, and shared
a 73-run fourth-wicket partnership with Roston Chase (37), along with 68 with Shane Dowrich, who made 20, and 21 with captain Jason Holder (14 not out).

Bowling for England, Jofre Archer had 3 for 45 and Ben Stokes, 2 for 34.

This was the West Indies fourth victory in the last seven matches against England and also meant that West Indies are the lone away team to chase a target of over 200 twice in England in this century.

When the bio-secure test began on Thursday, England, in a rain hit day, completed their innings on Friday, making 204. Ben Stokes made 43, Jos Buttler, 35, Dom Bess, 31 and Rory Burns, 30. Jason Holder grabbed career-best figures of 6 for 42 and Shannon Gabriel, 4 for 62.

In response, the West Indies made 318; Kraigg Brathwaite scored 65, Shane Dowrich, 61, Roston Chase, 47 and Shamarh Brooks, 39. Bowling for England, stand-in captain Ben Stokes grabbed 4 for 49 and Jimmy Anderson, 3 for 62.

Behind by 114 runs, England reached 313. Zak Crawley scored 76, Dom Sibley, 50, Ben Stokes, 46, and Rory Burns, 42.

West Indies captain Jason Holder (left), congratulates fast bowler Shannon Gabriel (centre), who took 9 for 137 and was awarded Player of the Match.

West Indies’ bowling was champed by Shannon Gabriel, who bagged 5 for 75, while Alzarri Joseph took 2 for 45 and Roston Chase, 2 for 71. Gabriel, for his 9 for 137, was the player of the match.

The West Indies, chasing retention of the Wisden Trophy, will enter the second test on Thursday at Old Trafford.