SOUTHAMPTON – 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.
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 their 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 Thursday in Manchester.