St. John’s (Antigua), May 8 (IANS) West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron has labelled the Caribbean side’s win in the third Test over England as “remarkable”, saying the performance proved the team could compete at the highest level.
Cameron also praised the team’s development, noting that the players exhibited “fight and tenacity” as they stunned England by five wickets inside three days of the final Test at Kensington Oval on Sunday, reports CMC.
“On behalf of all stakeholders in West Indies cricket, I want to applaud captain Denesh Ramdin, head coach Phil Simmons and the entire team for what was three weeks of fascinating Test cricket,” Cameron said.
“We saw true team spirit and matches with fight and tenacity. We were especially pleased with the tremendous performance at Kensington Oval to win the third and final Test of the series inside three days. It was a truly remarkable on-field performance. The team left fans captivated and it was great to see the fans’ appreciation of the efforts of the players.”
The victory earned West Indies a share of the series, after the first Test in Antigua finished in a draw and they lost the second in Grenada by nine wickets. Importantly, the third Test result was largely shaped by the team’s younger players. Darren Bravo top-scored with 82 in a 108-run fifth-wicket stand with Jermaine Backwood, who finished on 47 not out as West Indies recovered from 80/4 to reach their target of 192.
The 23-year-old Blackwood, in only his eighth Test, hit 85 in the first innings to be adjudged Man-of-the-Match. Jason Holder, 23, in his sixth Test, also starred with the ball, grabbing 3/15 to ensure England collapsed for a paltry 123 in their second innings.
Cameron praised the youth development of the squad.
“We witnessed the growth and promise of a number of young, talented players as they were put in pressure situations. During the series, they gave proof of their ability to function and perform at the highest level. We now look forward to the series against Australia which will be the true test of their improved performance,” he said.
West Indies face the Aussies next month in two Tests, in Dominica and Jamaica.