Roston Chase proved the unlikely bowling hero as the off-spinner destroyed England with career-best figures of eight for 60 as the West Indies crushed the visitor by 381 runs to win the first Test at Kensington Oval on Saturday.
Roston Chase (left) and West Indies captain Holder
Bridgetown:
Chase made the most of a fourth day pitch showing more signs of wear but also benefited from poor shot selection by an England side that looked shell-shocked from the events of the previous two days when it was routed for just 77 in its first innings.
It then saw the West Indies amass 415 for six declared in the second innings with captain Jason Holder starring with an unbeaten double-century and wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich contributing 116 not out in an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership of 295.
It was left to stand-in wicketkeeper Shai Hope to complete the dismissal which sealed the result, stumping Sam Curran down the leg-side off Chase.
“To come back the way we have as a team and for me personally after the last few months is really satisfying,” said Holder. “This is just the first Test of three and there is a lot of work to be done. Achieving consistency continues to be the key.”
Brief scores: West Indies (1st innings) 289 & (2nd innings) 415/6 decl. bt England (1st innings) 77 & (2nd innings) 246 (R Burns 84, R Chase 8/60)
Set the improbable target of 628 to win, the tourist slid to ignominious defeat in bright sunshine on the fourth day, losing its last six wickets for 31 runs either side of the tea interval to be dismissed for 246, ending a winning streak of five matches. It was the largest margin of victory by the West Indies on home soil and third largest anywhere in its 91 years as a Test-playing nation.
Chase made the most of a fourth day pitch showing more signs of wear but also benefited from poor shot selection by an England side that looked shell-shocked from the events of the previous two days when it was routed for just 77 in its first innings.
It then saw the West Indies amass 415 for six declared in the second innings with captain Jason Holder starring with an unbeaten double-century and wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich contributing 116 not out in an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership of 295.
It was left to stand-in wicketkeeper Shai Hope to complete the dismissal which sealed the result, stumping Sam Curran down the leg-side off Chase.
“To come back the way we have as a team and for me personally after the last few months is really satisfying,” said Holder. “This is just the first Test of three and there is a lot of work to be done. Achieving consistency continues to be the key.”
Brief scores: West Indies (1st innings) 289 & (2nd innings) 415/6 decl. bt England (1st innings) 77 & (2nd innings) 246 (R Burns 84, R Chase 8/60)