Jamaican Bonner Blunts England In Opening Test Deadlock
Nkrumah Bonner was the West Indies hero with the bat as the hosts held England to sluggish draw in the 1st Test at Antigua.
The Jamaican veteran, who last year hit an unbeaten Test century against Sri Lanka at the Sir Vivian Richards cricket Ground (SVRCG), was back at the crease in North Sound with aplomb.
Bonner made a marathon knock of 123 in over nine hours, then his unbeaten 38 helped steer the Windies to a share of the spoils. Yet the pitch in Antigua was to blame for the stalemate, with the hint of grass soon vanishing. Following two dull draws against Sri Lanka last year, those who braved their way to the opening Test were not treated to any real thrills ‘n’ spills.
There was moisture on the opening day (8 March), which saw the West Indies initially make a superb start to leave the tourists in turmoil at 115-5. Fast bowlers Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales did the early damage by taking two wickets apiece, with Jason Holder chipping in.
But Jonny Bairstow became a steady rock for England, and his arrival coincided with the wicket cutting up. He single-handedly held the innings together before being the final wicket as England were dismissed for a healthy-looking 311. Battler Bairstow scored 140 before being caught by Holder off pacer Alzarri Joseph.
Runs came freely for the West Indies in response. Skipper Kraigg Braithwaite (55) impressed with Jamaica’s strong batting line-up of recalled left-handed opener John Campbell (35), Bonner but there was a disappointing score of just 11 from Jermaine Blackwood.
Holder, the former captain and one of the heroes from the thrilling T20I series success in Barbados earlier this year, made a patient 45. But it was Bonner who stole the spotlight with his test of endurance and concentration at the crease.
All rounder Bonner, playing in only his 10th Test, got a faint edge to be caught behind by Ben Foakes off part-time bowler Dan Lawrence just before stumps.
He survived a number of potential departures before being sent back to the pavilion for his highest Test score. Dropped at slip off spinner Jack Leach on 73, he survived two lbw reviews off Leach.
It looked like curtains for the St. Catherine’s star after being given out leg before off Ben Stokes. Yet the original decision was overturned following a review that revealed a thick inside edge.
Bonner’s 355-ball innings was ended on a day when just 171 runs were scored, at an average of less than two an over.
The West Indies, placid in reaching their total of 375, did nothing to inspire locals to join the large contingent of travelling English fans – the self-proclaimed Barmy Army – to watch the impasse.
Since the SVRCG became the new home of cricket in Antigua since the 2007 ICC World Cup, the home crowds have been sadly lacking and there is rarely any exciting action. However, the array of English supporters helped develop a terrific atmosphere among the gaping empty seats at the purpose-built ground.
After Roach cheaply captured Alex Lees lbw for the first wicket, it was left to Zak Crawley (121) and Joe Root (109) to frustrate the bowlers and pile on the runs. Holder clean bowled Crawley to end the duo’s 201-run second-wicket partnership.
Wickets were hard to come by on such an unforgiving pitch, with England cruising along without producing any of the fireworks recently witnessed during the T20I series at Kensington Oval in Barbados. Joe Root declared at 349-6, but the contest then simply petered out.
Bajan Braithwaite, who has only been captain since December 2020, saw his troops set a highly improbable target of 286 to win. He shared an opening wicket partnership of 59 with Campbell, before being trapped leg before by Stokes for 33 off 82 deliveries.
Bonner arrived at the crease following the wicket of Campbell (22). He soon lost partners Sharmarh Brooks and Blackwood each for single figures, to leave the Windies surprisingly stuttering at 67-4 from 34.3 overs.
But with Holder at the crease, the pair calmly added some stealth to fend off the danger. The West Indies slowly reached 147-4, with Root finally resigned to ending the agony of a stand-off.
It was unclear whether Root truly believed that England could pull off a shocking success story on such an atrocious wicket for bowlers or whether it was sheer gamesmanship.
The battle to claim the inaugural Richards-Botham Trophy, which replaces the Wisden Trophy, moves to the tight Kensington Oval in bustling Barbados on Wednesday (16 March) then concludes in Grenada (24 March).
Braithwaite will be very aware that on his home ground there should be vocal supporters from both teams. With plenty of runs expected to up for grabs, the Windies will be brimming with confidence after their recent 3-2 T20I series triumph in Barbados.
England’s Test squad sees the notable omission of seasoned pace bowlers Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad. This was because the selectors saw that the Windies only lost their way against England’s spinners during those recent five games at the Kensington Oval.
The long format has hardly been a forte for the current crop representing the West Indies. Yet they can hopefully learn from their ODI and T20I squads, who against England worked wonders as a team with an impressive collective contribution.
8-12 March | 1st Test (Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua)
WI drew with England
England 311 (100.3 overs) & 349-6 declared (88.2 overs)
West Indies 375 (157.3 overs) & 147-4 (70.1 overs)
16-20 March | 2nd Test WI v England (Kensington Oval, Barbados)
24-28 March | 3rd Test WI v England (National Cricket Stadium, Grenada)
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