1st Test: Blackwood hits maiden hundred but Windies decline
NORTH SOUND, Antigua (CMC) – Jermaine Blackwood stroked his maiden Test hundred but West Indies lost wickets steadily to be bowled out for 295, about 25 minutes before the scheduled tea break on the third day off the opening Test against England here Wednesday.
The 23-year-old right-hander was left unbeaten on 112 as West Indies tamely lost their last four wickets for 19 runs, after putting up solid resistance in the pre-lunch session, and in the first hour afterward at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
Off-spinner James Tredwell was the leading bowler with four for 47 while seamers James Anderson (2-67) and Stuart Broad (2-67) picked up two wickets apiece.
West Indies have conceded a lead of 104 runs, with over two days left in the contest.
Resuming from his lunch time score of 69, Blackwood played fluently to raise his century an hour after the interval, when he punched Tredwell down the ground for a single.
All told, he faced 220 balls and struck 14 fours and two sixes.
His seventh wicket partnership with Jason Holder was worth a crucial 49, not only frustrating England’s bowlers but also allowing him to get closer to three figures.
Once Blackwood reached his landmark, however, Holder’s discipline dissipated and he chipped Tredwell to cover two balls later, where Gary Ballance took an easy catch at 276 for seven.
The innings then declined rapidly. Kemar Roach was caught at the wicket off Tredwell for five, Jerome Taylor was run out without scoring attempting an impossible single and Sulieman Benn was caught at short leg by Joe Root off Anderson.
