SPORTS

Windies stun England to win 3rd Test in three days, level series

May 04, 2015

Jermaine Blackwood (right) and Denesh Ramdin of West Indies celebrate victory and drawing the series 1-1 on Day 3 of the 3rd Test against England at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Sunday. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

A century partnership between Darren Bravo and Jermaine Blackwood led West Indies to a five-wicket victory over England in the third Test on an awkward Barbados wicket as the series ended at 1-1 on Sunday.

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).

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.

"It was a tricky one but it turned out well for us," said West Indies skipper Denesh Ramdin.

"Young Bravo and Blackwood came up for us today," he added.

Ben Stokes of England plays through the offside as wicketkeeper West Indies' Denesh Ramdin and Shai Hope watch on Day 3. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

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.

"We have to take it on the chin, credit to West Indies they bowled well and put us under pressure. The bottom line is we haven't done enough to win the series," said England skipper Alastair Cook.

After a dreadful World Cup and with a home Ashes series on the horizon, England had been told ahead of the tour by incoming England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Colin Graves that there would be "some enquiries" if they did not win the series.

England's Chris Jordan (right) catches West Indies' Kraigg Brathwaite at first slip off the bowling of Moeen Ali. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

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.

Darren Bravo of West Indies plays through the offside. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

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.

England's Stuart Broad is bowled by West Indies' Jason Holder. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

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.

Buttler and Anderson (2) put on a 25-run partnership before Jerome Taylor returned to the attack and had Anderson removed lbw after review.

Scoreboard (at close of play on the third day)

England 1st innings: 257 (A Cook 105; M Ali 58)           

West Indies 1st innings” 189 (J Blackwood 85; J Anderson 6-42)

England 2nd innings: (Overnight: 39-5)

A. Cook c K Brathwaite b Gabriel 4

J Trott lbw b Taylor 9

G Ballance c Da Bravo b Permaul 23

I Bell lbw b Taylor 0

J Root c Da Bravo b Holder 1

M Ali b Permaul 8

B Stokes c Chanderpaul b Permaul 32

J Buttler not out 35
C Jordan lbw b Holder 2

S Broad b Holder 0

J Anderson lbw b Taylor 2

Extras: (b-4 lb-2 nb-1) 7

Total: (all out, 42.1 overs) 123

Fall of wickets: 1-11 J. Trott,2-13 A. Cook,3-18 I. Bell,4-28 J. Root,5-39 M. Ali,6-62 G. Ballance,7-95 B. Stokes,8-98 C. Jordan,9-98 S. Broad,10-123 J. Anderson

Bowling: J Taylor 11.1 - 1 - 33 – 3; S Gabriel 7 - 4 - 16 - 1(nb-1); J Holder 9 - 3 - 15 -3;  V Permaul 11 - 3 - 43 – 3; M Samuels 4 - 1 - 10 – 0;.

West Indies 2nd innings (Target: 192 runs)

K Brathwaite c Jordan b Ali 25

S Hope lbw b Jordan 9

Da Bravo c Broad b Stokes 82

M Samuels b Broad 20

S Chanderpaul b Anderson 0

J Blackwood not out 47

D Ramdin not out 0

Extras (b-5 lb-6) 11

Total: (62.4 overs) 194 for 5

Fall of wickets: 1-35 S Hope, 2-35 K Brathwaite, 3-70 M Samuels, 4-80 S Chanderpaul, 5-188 Da. Bravo.

Bowling               

J Anderson 13 - 4 - 35 – 1; S Broad 13 - 5 - 29 – 1; C Jordan 11 - 5 - 24 – 1; M Ali 12.4 - 1 - 54 -1; J Root 8 - 4 - 16 – 0; B Stokes 5 - 0 - 25 -1.

Result: West Indies won by 5 wickets

Source: REUTERS
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