Blackwood guides Windies to 4-wkt win over England

London: The West Indies won the first international cricket match since the sport’s return after the coronavirus outbreak, beating England late in Day 5 of a thrilling first Test at an empty Rose Bowl on Sunday, July 12.

Jermaine Blackwood top-scored with 95 as West Indies overcame an early wobble to win by four wickets in the final session. John Campbell hit the winning run.

West Indies finished on 200/6 in its second innings to take an early lead in the three-test series.

The tourists had resumed after tea on 143/4, still, 57 runs from the victory target.

Blackwood and Roston Chase had revived West Indies with a 73-run partnership which ended when Chase was caught behind for 37 against hostile pace from Barbados-born Jofra Archer.

Before the pair came together, West Indies was 27/3.

Blackwood and Shane Dowrich shared a 68-run stand for the fifth wicket before stand-in England captain Ben Stokes had ‘keeper Dowrich caught behind for 20.

Stokes also claimed Blackwood’s wicket with James Anderson providing the catch. Archer ended with 3/45. The second Test starts on Thursday in Manchester.