By Delvon Mc Ewan
What can be deemed as a delayed test debut was marked with a patient half century by Guyana’s Leon Johnson as West Indies dominated the first day of their 500th Test match which started yesterday at the Beausejour Stadium in St. Lucia against Bangladesh.
Johnson, who waited just over six years after playing his last One Day International against Canada, before making his debut marked that historical occasion by scoring 66 runs.
The former West Indies Under-19 captain, who hails from the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) which has produced several West Indies players, became the 300th test player to represent the West Indies.
The 27-year-old left-handed batsman was welcomed to the show by medium pacer Shafiul Islam, who delivered the ball down the leg side as the batsman failed to make contact to a ball that went through to be taken by the wicketkeeper. Some 17 balls later off the first ball of the seventh over, Johnson scored his first test run as he placed a short ball from Al Amin Hossain into a gap on the off side.
He was off and running.
At 14.1 overs as Johnson approached his first water interval in test cricket, he threaded a wide half volley from Shafiul Islam through the covers to mark his first boundary which was also the first in the 500th test match for the West Indies.
Johnson danced down the wicket in the 39th over to hit a huge six (his first six in test) over the long off boundary to bring up three figures for his team.
Along the way Johnson reached his first milestone in test cricket when he brought up his first fifty after facing 135 balls whilst striking two fours and a solitary six.
Johnson also shared in a valuable partnership. With the patient Bajan opener Kraigg Braithwaite, Johnson added 143 for the first wicket before Braithwaite was caught by Taijul Islam off the bowling of Shafiul Islam for 65. Shortly after Johnson’s debut innings ended as he was unfortunate to be adjudged leg before wicket by the standing umpire Richard Illingworth of England, as the batsman missed a full delivery from Taijul Islam that would have spun past the leg stump.
Speaking with this publication via social media after the completion of his innings, Johnson said though it was a great feeling to walk out to the middle for an inaugural test innings, he felt nervous whilst taking guard as most debutants would. As it took him 17 balls to score his first run, Johnson said he was waiting on the appropriate delivery to score.
He said it was nice to get to 66 in his first dig at test cricket and it is just a short moment to reflect on it and prepare for more to come.
It would be a greater start to Johnson’s career if his half century in his first test innings propel West Indies to their 167th test victory.
Stabroek Sport would like to wish Johnson the best as he works towards his future as a West Indies cricketer.
