After months of break, international cricket has returned, and West Indies is the first country to claim victory after winning the first Test series on day five after defeating the host country, England by four wickets on Sunday. Jermaine Blackwood led his team to victory after hitting 95 runs on the last day of the Test, earning them the victory.

West Indies entered the final day of the Test with 200, ahead of their opponents, but were later reduced to 27-3. To make things worse for them, John Cambell, who had been floating the team, had to leave the pitch due to a toe injury, after a blast by England’s Jofra Archer.

Blackwood then rose to fill the shoes to turn the fate of his team. Despite the several opportunities they had, the English side, a combination of Ben Stokes, Dom Bess, and even Zak Crawley, were unable to dismiss him. Stokes was, however, unable to dismiss Shane Dowrich, but that did not make any difference as Blackwood continued to hit more runs.

Campbell later arrived back on the pitch, limping, to join his teammates. Blackwood continued to add runs with his other teammates, including Campbell and skipper Jason Holder, eventually earning his team victory.

Sunday’s score was Blackwood’s 11th half-century and his first in 3 years, as his last Test match was in 2017. He had not been a favourite and had been dropped from Test series 6 times in the past.

West Indies now prepares for the second Test match, which would hold from July 16-20. Holder has said that they would not allow the victory to get to them as they would thrive on playing a better game. He also confirmed that Campbell would be available for the next Test. Joe Roots would take up his position as Captain if the English side, after being unavailable in the first Test so he could be around as his wife gave birth, while Stokes returns to the vice-captain position. Batsman Joe Denly has been dropped and would not play in the second Test.

Written by: Leon Osamor