West Indies escaped falling on either side of the tea gap to play a draw on the final day of the first Test against England at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday.
Set an unexpected win target of 286 runs, and at 67 for four, losing four for nine at the start of the previous season, first-innings century scorer Nkrumah Bonner and former captain Jason Holder defied the visitors for more than two. An unbroken fifth wicket stand of 80 runs in 35 overs to see the home team secure 147 for four.
Bonner’s 38 not out earned him the man of the match award after more than nine hours of 123 in the first innings.
Holder was dismissed for 37 not out in another important contribution from the all-rounder against England.
“Obviously we wanted to win, but we’re happy to have a draw,” Bonner said.
“I always wanted to play Test cricket and over the years I batted long. I am versatile. I adapt to the situation.”
Following Joe Root’s second innings announcement of 349 for six in the morning session, left-arm spinner Jack Leach took three wickets in quick succession after Ben Stokes succeeded in removing West Indies captain Craig Brathwaite.
Without the services of their fastest bowler Mark Wood, due to an elbow injury, the tourists were disappointed for 25 overs by Brathwaite and John Campbell, who scored 59.
However, Stokes was brought into the attack as the fifth bowler and responded by trapping Brathwaite for 33 runs leg-before.
Leach, who shared the new ball with Chris Woakes, then drew Campbell in another false shot and was caught over his head at mid-on by Craig Overton to go for a left-hander on 22.
On the stroke of tea, Leach struck again as Shamar Brooks once again failed to impress, Jack Crowley took the catch low at slip and when Jermaine Blackwood lobbed the specialist spinner to lbw shortly after the start. Played a bad shot, then England felt a victory. was within his reach.
– ‘proud’ root –
“I’m really proud of the team today. We got better and better throughout the game,” was Root’s assessment.
“We have to assess Mark (Wood) and see if he is ready for the next Test in Barbados. Its not his fault. You can’t help being hurt.”
After conceding Crowley to his second Test century late on a rain-scarred fourth day, Root completed his 24th century in Tests early Saturday, but not before he lost Crowley for 121, to Holder. A well aimed yorker tore the pair apart. After a partnership of 201 runs for the second wicket.
Crowley’s innings of more than five hours consisted of 216 balls, in which he hit 16 fours.
In contrast, Root’s constructive effort, which ended when he was bowled by Alzarri Joseph for 109 with only six boundaries, as the captain faced 204 balls with just five-and-a-half hours in the middle.
With an extra half hour at the start of the day, with rain halted continuously for the fourth day, England made it clear their intention to declare with a limited-overs-style approach, resulting in 132 runs for the loss of five wickets. Went. At the rate of one run-a-ball.
Dan Lawrence, who came in Crowley’s early fall, made 37 off 36 balls with four fours and the only six of the innings, becoming the first of three wickets before dominating the third-wicket stand of 70 with his captain. Quick succession for Joseph, who was also responsible for wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Foakes.
Kemar Roach, West Indies’ lone wicket-taker on the previous day, as England reached 217 for one, added to his tally after the dismissal of Stokes as the run of runs continued.
Brathwaite was relieved, “It’s been a tough fight for the whole five days and I’m glad we fought some till the end.”
“In the middle (of our batting) though we need to find ways to be tight. The pitch was good for batting but it could be a bit different in Barbados.”
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