ENG vs WI: Cricket World erupts as Jermaine Blackwood steers West Indies to victory in the first Test post coronavirus outbreak
West Indies beat England by 4 wickets | Twitter

Jermaine Blackwood struck a magnificent half-century to guide West Indies to a memorable victory in the first Test of the three-match series against England at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. Blackwood showed immense courage and inspirational determination to take Caribbeans over the line in the first contest post coronavirus pandemic.

While chasing the target of 200 runs, the visitors had an abysmal start as they lost three wickets in quick successions in the first session on Day 5. England paceman Jofra Archer demolished the top-order of West Indies when he claimed two wickets in successive overs. The right-arm speedster first dismissed Kraigg Brathwaite and then he sent Shamarh Brooks back to the pavilion.

As if the trouble wasn’t enough already, Mark Wood shattered the defence of Shai Hope and Windies were struggling badly at 35/3 till lunch break. However, then Rostan Chase and Blackwood steadied the ship and added a crucial stand of 73 runs for the fourth-wicket before Archer struck again and dismissed Chase (37) off a nasty bouncer.

Blackwood stayed in the middle and kept on scoring runs. He stitched another critical partnership with wicket-keeper batsman Shane Dowrich. The duo added 68 runs for the fifth wicket. English skipper Ben Stokes broke the run-stand when he dismissed Dowrich for 20 runs.

Blackwood, on the other hand, kept his end alive and took the tourists really close to the finishing line. He was looking set to score a brilliant century, but Stokes had some other plans. The southpaw dismissed Blackwood for 95. However, the Caribbean batter did his job pretty well. When he left the ground, his side needed just 11 runs for the victory.

West Indies skipper Jason Holder along with opener John Campbell, who earlier got retired-hurt due to an injury, did the remaining job as the pair chased down the target successfully and defeated the hosts by four wickets.

Here is how cricket fraternity reacted to West Indies’ win over England:

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ANIRUDH SINGH
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