West Indies beat England in 1st test at The Rose Bowl,Southampton with four wickets in hand.
After winning toss , England skipper Ben Stokes opted to bat first against mighty West Indies pace attack. England managed just 204 runs in their first innings, Stokes leads all batsman with 43 runs for home side, his opposite number Jason Holder leads West Indies bowling attack with career best 6/42.
West Indies managed to put 318 in their first innings, Brathwaite leads the scoring with 65 for visitors.Once again it’s England Skipper Stokes leads bowling with 4/49 for home team.
By trailing 114 runs , England batsman did little better in their second outing by putting 313 runs in total led by Z Crawley with 76 runs.Gabriel’s 5/75 performance helped visiting team to restrict England.
Chasing just 200 runs to register their first win of the series, West Indies get into trouble early. The visitors lost First innings highest scorer, Brathwaite just for 4 runs and they were 27/3 before Blackwood (95 runs) Chase(37 runs) study the ship for visitors.
Man of The Match: Shannon Gabriel
“Coming here I knew I would play if I proved my fitness, knew the work I had put in, it would take care of itself. I’m still stiff, but couple of days to recover to the next match, so got to do the things to get ready.
when asked about Four quicks playing all three Tests…
Depends on the next couple of games go, the recovery between and during innings, but the guys are fit and want to play all the games. Coming here, the guys were confident after we played them in the Caribbean, knowing we could get the job done, if we prepare well everything will take care of itself.”
Captains corner
Jason Holder, West Indies
Right up there with one of the best victories we’ve had a a group. Yesterday was hard, long toil and the bowlers keep coming back, gave everything, it was a hard-fought day of Test cricket.
About Long lay-off due to covid-19
I don’t think any team knew how it would play, been sat at home doing nothing, just got the opportunity to play but mentally at the back of your mind you’re never quite sure. It’s willpower, we know what was at at stake, we had 98 overs to bowl and we were leggy come 7pm. Myself and Alzarri bowled until half six and the other two come back. If we’d got the wickets yesterday, it would have made the job a lot easier, but we came back today. Every time I asked them to, they ran in.
About Blackwood match winning knock in second innings under pressure
Outstanding innings, I was disappointed when he got out but that’s the way he plays. He’s sat on the sidelines waiting, last time was a concussion sub in Kingston. He always gives effort, and today was his big moment.”
Ben Stokes, England Captain
“I think it’s great we’ve been able to get back on and play international cricket, was a bit strange, we’re used to playing in front of a lot more people. From the point of getting cricket back on the screens for people it’s been amazing.
About Quality of play
Both sides have had a long time to build up, we came into camp 3-4 weeks ago and West Indies have been in Manchester. Don’t think there was nerves flying around, it was a hard-fought game and great when games go to day five. Thought skills and level of cricket was fantastic.
About just putting 200 runs target
You’ve got to believe, if you start to think you don’t have enough you’re already losing. Ideally would like to get more in the first innings, was first innings v fourth innings match, we got ourselves in good positions with the bat but weren’t ruthless enough to go on.
About winning toss and electing to bat first is a bad choice?
I don’t think so, stand by decision to bat first, we’ve got to be good enough to put runs on board We know we’ve got to get 400, 500 on the board, which makes the fame in your favour. We just didn’t quit manage to grasp the game like we might ave done, but it’s a great learning curve for or batting line-up.
About Stuart Broad call?
If I was to regret that, I don’t think it sends the right message to other guys, very fortunate to leave a guy out of Stuart’s quality, and the interview he gave was fantastic, to show that desire and emotion, it’s fantastic to see. He’s by nowhere near done.
About Mad 15 mins
Pressure shows in different ways, there was some hectic running and chances we didn’t quit take, that’s sport. Pressure on both sides in situations like that. We’ll be able to look back on this game with positive but also a learning curve. We’ve had a long build-up period, but you can never quit e get to those levels on the field, be interesting to see how everyone pulls up. But we’ve got a lot of people we can select for next Test. I’ve loved it, last night was first stressful one, but it’s Joe’s team, he’s the captain, look forward to welcoming him back.”
