Blackwood shines for West Indies
THE West Indies beat England by four wickets on the final day of the first international Test since the Covid-19 break yesterday, taking a 1-0 lead at the Rose Bowl in a three-Test series thanks to a 95-run knock by Jermaine Blackwood.
England made early inroads into the West Indies batting lineup on day five as the visitors targeted 200 to win, reducing them to 27/3 before Blackwood began to set the foundations for a big win for the Caribbean side, albeit behind closed doors.
When opener John Campbell retired hurt following a toe-crushing yorker from Jofra Archer, Blackwood came in before lunch and began to anchor the innings, sharing a 73-run stand with Roston Chase (37).
“It was a nerve-wracking start after losing quick three wickets and Campbell to injury,” Windies captain Jason Holder told the BBC. “But Roston and Jermaine put on a good partnership and settled the nerves. From there we could build on.”
The Barbados-born Archer, who finished with 3/45, troubled the batsmen throughout with his pace and bounce but England were unable to dismiss the danger man Blackwood.
In the end the 28-year-old Jamaican narrowly missed out on his second Test century when he tried to lift a Ben Stokes delivery over the infield, only to gift James Anderson a catch.
Campbell then returned to the crease with West Indies six wickets down to join Holder, who played a patient knock of 14 off 36 balls, to guide the West Indies home in the final session.