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Paying close attention to opinions of players and coaches can be an intriguing exercise.
And when it comes to a Test series between West Indies and England, there is seemingly added interest.
With one day remaining in the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, a draw is the likely result, based on the placid nature of the pitch.
In gaining a first innings lead of 64, West Indies made 375.
England closed today’s fourth day on 217 for one in their second innings – an overall lead of 153. At the crease were Zac Crawley on 117 and skipper Joe Root, 84.
As far as West Indies are concerned, captain Kraigg Brathwaite and head coach Phil Simmons were rather expressive on the eve of the match with the focus on asking the batters to rise to the occasion.
The West Indies total was significant. After all, in the previous eight Tests they had passed 300 only once in 16 innings, and were bowled out for fewer than 200 on seven occasions.
That total of over 300 was against Sri Lanka, also at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium last year when they scored 354 in the first innings of the second and final Test with Brathwaite hitting 126.
Now, a recall for John Campbell after a one-year absence to partner Brathwaite at the top attracted comments from Simmons.
“I think the last time England were here, and we beat them, the opening pair was Kraigg and John Campbell,” Simmons said. “So let’s hope that’s a good omen for us, because they are back together and they gave the team some good starts. So that’s what we’ve been talking about, getting a good start and then making sure that the top four put things together and not leave it to the middle and lower order.
“That’s been the aspect of the five-day camp that we had addressing the fact that batsmen need to bat long, we need to make sure that we give the bowlers something to work with. And I think that the camp went well, so I expect good things from them.”
Brathwaite said: “As a team, we’re really looking forward to it. We’re feeling confident, and maybe not worrying about England’s team, but what we do as a team and we’re really looking forward to the challenge.
“It means a lot (playing England), obviously the Barmy Army comes down and gives you a nice atmosphere. We always look forward to this series, especially at home. And we look forward to the challenge. They have some quality cricketers still, so when we do well, you know it’s still a good feeling.
“I think the series itself is always different to every other series we have. We’re generally very good at home, especially the bowlers do a fantastic job at home. And obviously it’s also our job as batters to get runs, but the series always has a lot of energy and at times that can inspire guys.”
Spurred by an impressive century from the experienced Jonny Bairstow, England recovered from 48 for four to score 311 all out off 100.3 overs after winning the toss.
Bairstow made 140 off 259 balls in 388 minutes with 21 fours at No. 6.
Jayden Seales, the 20-year-old Trinidad & Tobago fast bowler in his fifth Test, was the leading wicket-taker with four for 79 off 22 overs.
Jason Holder, a model of immaculate line and length, picked up two for 24 off 21 overs, while Alzarri Joseph had two for 70 off 20.3 overs and veteran Kemar Roach, two for 86 off 21 overs.
Helped by a couple dropped catches, England had closed the opening day on 268 for six – a position, which drew mixed remarks from Holder.
“It’s a bitter pill to swallow in a sense that if we’d held on to one or two of the chances, but a positive that we created them,” Holder said. “And credit to the bowlers, each and every one of them gave a really good effort when called upon by the captain in these conditions. It’s not easy, especially with the wind factor as well, I thought each and every bowler put their hand up.
“It’s hard toil in Test cricket. I thought Jonny batted really well and brought them right back in the game. We had a really good start, four wickets in the first session, but it was slow going after that. I thought the wicket was quite easy-paced, quite slow and you know Jonny played a really good knock.”
Led by a second Test century from Nkrumah Bonner, who went to the crease at No. 4, West Indies’ total of 375 took 157.3 overs.
Exhibiting tremendous patience, Bonner, a 33-year-old Jamaican, scored 123 off 355 balls in 558 minutes including 12 fours and one six.
Brathwaite (55) and Campbell (35) added 83 for the first wicket and later Holder (45), put on 79 with Bonner for the fifth wicket following a wobble at 127 for four.
Bonner and Joshua Da Silva (32) consolidated with a stand of 73 for the sixth wicket.
“It was very emotional for sure,” Bonner said of his century. “Coolbumps take up all of my body. Getting some runs against England is always a good feeling, especially against a team under some pressure.”
“All my runs are always gritty, I’m not a freescoring guy. I’m very disciplined. My power is about concentration.”
Brathwaite’s knock came off 70 balls and contained seven fours and one six – his fastest Test half-century.
So what did he make of it?
“It was pretty much just playing as it came. I obviously got into some good positions and it paid off and we got some early runs, but I wouldn’t say it was a change. It’s a good pitch.”
Whatever the outcome tomorrow, the second Test in Barbados starting on Wednesday will hold great interest.
When the teams last played a Test Kensington Oval in 2019, West Indies had a massive win by 381 runs with a day to spare.
Holder, then the captain, slammed a memorable second innings double-century (202 not out) and wicketkeeper/batter Shane Dowrich made 116 not out as the pair featured in a record seventh-wicket partnership of 295.
Roach took five for 17 in the first innings and all-rounder Roston Chase, with his off-spin, grabbed eight for 60 in the second innings.
Keith Holder is a veteran, award-winning freelance sports journalist, who has been covering local, regional and International cricket since 1980 as a writer and commentator. He has compiled statistics on the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) Division 1 (rebranded Elite in 2012) Championship for four decades and provides statistics and stories for the BCA website (www.barbadoscricket.org). Email: [email protected]
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