Former West Indies player Sylvester Joseph, has showered praises on the West Indian Test seamers for their efforts on the opening day of the first Test against England in Antigua.
The pacers bagged all 10 wickets led by 20-year-old Jayden Seales, who ended with four wickets. Kemar Roach, Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph had two wickets a piece.
Speaking on the Mason and Guest radio programme, the 43-year-old said, “I thought the bowlers really bowled well, especially Holder, Holder hit the right areas,” he said.
Joseph, who played five Tests and 13 50-over matches said that he was delighted to see the keen competition during the first hour of play. “The action was really intense especially for the first hour when the West Indies’ bowlers capitalized on the early moisture which is a norm for Antigua. The pitches normally have a bit of moisture and if you bowl the right areas and take your catches you can get some wickets and West Indies did that even though they dropped a few.”
Joseph said he was surprised by the decision England took to bat given the vulnerability of West Indies’ top order.
However, with Shamarh Brooks included in the side, Joseph believes the batting has been boosted but at the expense of Kyle Mayers.
“It was a bit tossed up,” he said about the playing XI for West Indies, adding, “especially Mayers, he has been there and about but I like the fact that Shamarh Brooks, I think he is one of our better Test batsmen and I always had a problem with him not being in the squad much less in the XI. For the opportunity he has gotten for the short space of time, I believe he looks the part and done himself justice… he is very consistent.”
