St. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – West Indies Cricket Board president, Dave Cameron has labelled the Caribbean’s side third Test win over England as “remarkable” and said the performance proved the team could compete at the highest level.
In a statement yesterday, Cameron also praised the team’s development, noting that the players had exhibited “fight and tenacity” as they stunned England by five wickets inside three days in the third and final Test at Kensington Oval Sunday.
“On behalf of all stakeholders in West Indies cricket, I want to applaud the captain Denesh Ramdin, head coach Phil Simmons and the entire team for what was three weeks of fascinating Test cricket,” Cameron said. “We saw true team spirit and matches with fight and tenacity. We were especially pleased with the tremendous performance at Kensington Oval to win the third and final Test of the series inside three days.
“It was a truly remarkable on-field performance. The team left fans captivated and it was great to see the fans’ appreciation of the efforts of the players.”
The victory earned West Indies a share of the series, after the first Test in Antigua finished in a draw and they lost the second in Grenada by nine wickets. Importantly, the third Test result was largely shaped by the team’s younger players. Darren Bravo top-scored with 82 in a 108-run fifth wicket stand with Jermaine Blackwood, who finished on 47 not out, as West Indies recovered from 80 for four to reach their target of 192.
The 23-year-old Blackwood, in only his eighth Test, hit 85 in the first innings to be adjudged Man-of-the-Match.
Jason Holder, 23, in his sixth Test, also starred with the ball, grabbing three for 15 to ensure England collapsed for a paltry 123 in their second innings.
