Agence France Presse
Bridgetown, May 4: West Indies defied all 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 here Sunday.
Set a daunting target of 192 after the tourists were dismissed for 123 in their second innings, England had West Indies on the mat with them reeling at 80 for four. But a 108-run fifth-wicket partnership between Darren Bravo (82, 148, 7×4, 3×6) and Jermaine Blackwood (47 n o, 104, 4×4, 1×6) tilted the match decisively in Windies’ favour. This was their first test victory against England since 2009.
Bravo’s innings ended when he attempted to go for a slog and was caught by Stuart Broad off Ben Stokes. Blackwood then finished off the match in the next over, hoisting Moeen Ali over long-on.
“I always try to play my natural game but you have to be mindful of the situation as well,” said Blackwood at the post match presentation ceremony. “Bravo told me to be positive and we would be able to bring it home.”
Earlier England started the day brightly, putting on 51 in the first hour for the loss of one wicket from a perilous overnight position of 39 for five. Ben Stokes (32) and Jos Buttler (35 n o) played patient knocks, but after Stokes’ dismissal it was all downhill for the English as Veerasammy Rampaul (3/43) and Jason Holder (3/15) bowled brilliantly to dismiss them under the 130-run mark.
“Getting dismissed for 123 in the second innings opened up the match this morning,” England captain Alastair Cook conceded. “Defending 190-odd, you need to take every chance and we didn’t do that. We didn’t do enough to win the series.”
Brief scores
England 257 and 123 (Jason Holder 3/15, Veerasammy Rampaul 3/43) lost to West Indies 189 and 194 for five (Darren Bravo 82, Jermaine Blackwood 47 n o) by five wickets.
