West Indies off the mark in the World Test championship
West Indies have started the three-match Test series in the most emphatic fashion as they defeated England by four wickets in Southampton to go 1-0 up.
West Indies have started the three-match Test series in the most emphatic fashion as they defeated England by four wickets in Southampton to go 1-0 up.
While chasing 200, West Indies weren't off to a good start. Opener John Campbell left the field after Archer's first delivery smashed him on the toe. They lost three wickets quickly as Jofra Archer and Mark Wood rattled the top order. West Indies went into lunch with scores 35 for three.
Jermaine Blackwood steadied the ship with Roston Chase in the second session. They put on 73 for the fourth wicket. Blackwood held things together staying at one end and put on an important 68-run stand with Shane Dowrich after Chase's dismissal.
Ben Stokes produced a twist in the tale by dismissing Dowrich and Blackwood but West Indies held their nerves and chased down the total with four wickets in hand. Blackwood played a valiant knock of 95. West Indies captain Jason Holder remained unbeaten on 14. Campbell came back and hung around a bit to remain unbeaten on eight.
Earlier, Jofra Archer's enterprising knock of 23 pushed England's lead to 199 from 170 overnight. Shannon Gabriel picked up a five wicket haul. The fast bowler finished with match figures of nine for 137.
West Indies have got their first points on the ICC Test championship table.
Brief score:
England 204 (Stokes 43, Holder 6/42) & 313 (Crawley 76, Gabriel 5/75)
West Indies 318 (K Brathwaite 65, Stokes 4/49) & 200/6 (Blackwood 95, Archer 3/45)