West Indies v England, 3rd Test, Barbados, 3rd day
Windies defeat England, draw series 1-1
Darren Bravo
BRIDGETOWN, (Reuters) – A century partnership between Darren Bravo and Jermaine helped West Indies to win the third and final test against England at Barbados’ Kensington Oval by five wickets today to draw the series 1-1.
Set a target of 192 to win on the third day, after bowling England out for 123, the home side knocked off the total thanks mainly to a 108 run fifth wicket partnership between Bravo (82) and Blackwood (47 not out).
For England, it was a disappointing end to a series which looked to be heading their way after their win in the second test in Grenada.It was a disciplined and confident performance from a West Indies team that looks to have improved in several areas already in their first series under new coach Phil Simmons.
Having gained a 68-run lead from the first innings, England were let down by the second innings batting where only three players made double figures, Jos Buttler top scoring with an unbeaten 35.
Even then, 192 was by no means a simple task on a surface which offered rewards to both seam and spin.
West Indies opening pair of Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope survived the opening spell from James Anderson, but then Hope was trapped lbw by Chris Jordan for nine.
Brathwaite (25) went shortly afterwards, caught by Jordan off Moeen Ali’s spin to leave the hosts at 35 for two.
Marlon Samuels and Bravo looked well settled but shortly before tea, Stuart Broad bowled Samuels for 20 to raise England’s hopes.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul was bowled for a duck by Anderson’s first ball after tea as England sensed a possible West Indies middle order collapse.
But Bravo and Blackwood took charge with a focused partnership that only ended when victory was within reach and Bravo drove Ben Stokes to Broad at mid-off.
Earlier, resuming on 39 for five, England were undone by a combination of Veerasammy Permaul’s slow left-arm spin and Jason Holder’s seam.
Local favourite Holder trapped Jordan lbw and then yorked Broad with the next delivery.
Butler and Anderson (2) put on a 25-run partnership before Jerome Taylor returned to the attack and had Anderson removed lbw after review.
Scorecard: http://www.espncricinfo.com/west-indies-v-england-2015/engine/match/766933.html
Analysis: By George Dobell
West Indies shake off ‘mediocre’ perception
They were labelled ‘mediocre’ by Colin Graves before series began, but in drawing this series 1-1 West Indies have shown both discipline and confidence, a cocktail that has rarely been present in equal measures in the Caribbean of late.
It may not be remembered with quite the infamy of Tony Greig’s “grovel” comment, but Colin Graves‘ pre-series suggestion that West Indies were likely to represent “mediocre” opposition seems sure to pass into cricketing folklore.
Whatever Graves meant – and to be fair to the incoming chairman of the ECB, his off-the-cuff remarks were made in a local radio interview that he cannot have thought would haunt him weeks later – his words provided the perfect motivational tool for West Indies. [Read more]
Comments
The West Indies team needs our congratulations. They have played well throughout the series. In the past, they were beaten in three or four days. That did not happen in this series. They lost the second within five days. This shows maturity. And thy were able to destroy England in three days. Good for them.
It is time that they play some more talented young players. Chander cannot last too long and a player should be blooded in his place, Chander has placed WI on the map. I wonder if he will be given another chance to beat Lara’s record. I presume when WI play Zimbabwe or Bangladesh. He should start coaching under 17 cricketers.