West Indies defied the odds and a wearing pitch to complete a series-levelling five-wicket victory over England on the third day of the third and final Test. Set a daunting target of 192 after the tourists were dismissed for 123 in their second innings, a 108-run fifth-wicket partnership between Darren Bravo and Jermaine Blackwood tilted the match decisively the Caribbean side’s way on Sunday.
That allowed them to celebrate their first victory over England since the opening match of the 2009 series in Kingston, Jamaica. Bravo’s controlled knock of 82, his 11th Test half-century, ended when he attempted to make the victory hit off Ben Stokes as Stuart Broad pulled down the catch at mid-off. It was left to Blackwood to finish off the match in the next over, hoisting Moeen Ali’s off-spin over long-on to finish unbeaten on 47 and complete a team and personal triumph following his first innings top score of 85 out of a total of 189. He was named man of the match.
West Indies seemed on the verge of another capitulation when veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul played on to James Anderson without scoring to leave the home side uncomfortably placed at 80 for four just after tea. Anderson took the man of the series honours for his 17 wickets in the three matches, lifting his overall Test tally to 397. Blackwood, who replaced Chanderpaul, capitalised on a significant moment of luck — a missed stumping by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler off Joe Root when only on four — to stay with his senior partner.
Brief Scores
England: 257 & 123 lost to West Indies: 189 & 194/5 (Darren Bravo 82, Jermaine Blackwood 47*) by 5 wickets.
Jason linked with Eng
Adelaide: Jason Gillespie turned down a chance to coach South Australia state on Monday, opting to remain at English county side Yorkshire and in position to consider a potential offer to coach England’s national squad. Former Australia test paceman has been mentioned in British media as a replacement for Peter Moores, who is under pressure following England’s 1-1 Test series draw in the Caribbean. Before the series, England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves said there would be an inquiry if the team could not beat a “mediocre” West Indies side.