West Indies drop second and third Test at England, will now prepare for CPLd

BY KAYLA KARIM

It was the first official return to International cricket since the COVID-19 pandemic and it did not disappoint. West Indies travelled to England to ensure that cricket fans would not be let down, and despite playing in an empty stadium; the intensity of this matchup remained the same. Over three test matches, in the #RaiseTheBatSeries, West Indies captain Jason Holder showed up and put on a show.

In the first test in Southhampton, West Indies went up 1-0 for the first time in two decades with help from a 95 from Jermaine Blackwood leading them to a target of 200 on the final day with West Indies winning by four wickets. The second test wasn’t as successful with England winning by 113 runs and in the final and third test at Old Trafford, Manchester, England won by a large margin of 269 runs, giving no chance to West Indies resulting in England taking the series 2-1. Jason Holder made 114 runs at 29 with 10 wickets at 30 and 5 catches. He performed well in the first Test but unfortunately the Captain could not out play the England squad.

West Indies’ batsmen failed to score runs because of the English’ bowling attack. Despite the tourist’s first victory, England’s Stuart Broad took 16 wickets including 500^th in Tests. Alongside James Anderson, who is England’s all time leading wicket taker, Broad challenged West Indies in the third Test. Jermaine Blackwood, Kaigg Brathwaite and Shamarh Brooks all reached fifty twice but neither went on to reach three figures, evidently contributing to West Indies defeat.

Although it was a disappointing defeat for many, cricket fans don’t need to worry about missing any more West Indies cricket as they prepare for the upcoming Caribbean Premiere League that will begin on August 18^th. The runners-up from last year, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knightriders will face off in the first T20 match, taking place at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. Twenty-three games will be held there, including the semi-finals and finals taking place on September 10^th. The other 10 matches will be held at Queens Park Oval in Port of Spain. Just like the West Indies at England series, the T20 matches will be held behind closed doors due to COVID-19.