Sachin Tendulkar, Vivian Richards hail all-round West Indies team after iconic 4-wicket win over England
The West Indies cricket team chased down the target of 200 in the fourth innings on Sunday to register a 4-wicket win over hosts England in Southampton. Jason Holder and Co. stood against all the odds to prove that the current Windies team has the ability to beat any opposition in the world.
The Caribbean team played dominant cricket throughout the match, as they first restrict the England team on just 204 runs in first innings, courtesy Holder's six-wicket haul. After tormenting England batting-line up, a collective effort from batsman helped Windies gain a tricky 114-run lead after first innings.
In the second innings, English batsmen displayed a fighting spirit to post 313 on the scoreboard. Windies team chasing a target of 200, lose some early wickets, but then Jermaine Blackwood played a career-defining knock of 95 to lead the visitors to an iconic 4-wicket win.
Many current and former players from the cricketing fraternity hailed the Windies team on beating England at their home on the resumption of cricket after almost four months.
India's batting legend Sachin Tendulkar took to Twitter and wrote: "Good all-round performances by players from both teams. Jermaine Blackwood played a crucial knock in a tense situation to see @windiescricket through. An important win which has set up the series perfectly. #ENGvWI."
Good all-round performances by players from both teams.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 12, 2020
Jermaine Blackwood played a crucial knock in a tense situation to see @windiescricket through. An important win which has set up the series perfectly. #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/PLbJlqIe8c
West Indies great Sir Vivian Richards also hailed the efforts of the visitors and wrote: "First game after the break belongs to us! Some gritty performance from the lads. This team deserves the win in this game. Congratulations boys You make us proud... #ENGvWI."
First game after the break belongs to us!
— Sir Vivian Richards (@ivivianrichards) July 12, 2020
Some gritty performance from the lads. This team deserves the win in this game. Congratulations boys
You make us proud... 👊🏿 #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/wYAVRGOwh6
Veteran Indian opener Virender Sehwag posted on his Twitter: "Test Cricket matters, winning overseas matters, @windiescricketdoing well in Test cricket matters. Great to see Test Match cricket back and great to see West Indies win. A phenomenal effort from the whole WI team. Congratulations #ENGvWI."
Test Cricket matters, winning overseas matters, @windiescricket doing well in Test cricket matters. Great to see Test Match cricket back and great to see West Indies win. A phenomenal effort from the whole WI team. Congratulations #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/yKUILMdOEr
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 12, 2020
Great week of Test Cricket ... For the West Indies to have come over to play is remarkable in these times ... For them to have played so well & won is incredible ... I don’t even think England fans will be too disppaointed ... bloody love Test cricket 👍
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 12, 2020
Great Test match victory!
— Brian Lara (@BrianLara) July 12, 2020
Well done to @Jaseholder98 and the boys.
To the coaching and management staff great job getting the guys ready. #ENGvWI
Congratulations !! Well done to the entire team Captain Jason Holder and coach Phil Simmons pic.twitter.com/Cboc0dYePP
— Dwayne DJ Bravo (@DJBravo47) July 12, 2020
The second Test of three-match series will be played on July 16 at the Old Trafford, Manchester.