Nkrumah Bonner knew he didn’t want to get stuck on 99. With rain threat around, he spent eight balls nervously trying to get to his maiden Test ton. That’s when Jason Holder walked up to him to calm the youngster down.
Bonner eventually got to his century with a boundary – driving a full ball past cover – to get a Test century in only his third Test. It was a landmark he had missed in Bangladesh even as he helped West Indies pull off a sensational chase and win in Chattogram. “It is very emotional for me,” Bonner told West Indies Cricket after the game. “I don’t think it’s a feeling that I can explain. It’s something that someone needs to experience it to understand that feeling. It’s a really, really special feeling. When I was on 99, Jason came down and said stay calm and stick to your process and stick to your gameplan and it’ll happen.
“There’s no secret to my consistency. I have to thank the batting coach because he did a lot of work with me and I am happy to see that pay off. The second Test is a crucial one for us. We’ve managed to draw this and, obviously, there are a few areas we need to top up on. Hopefully, we can do that in the next three days and be ready as best as we can.”
West Indies walked into the final day needing 341 for a win. Bonner revealed the team decided to play for a draw at lunch after they were 91 for 2. “We knew they have an experienced bowling attack and the ball also went a little bit soft. In the beginning we had a small opening but at lunch time we decided to not got for the target,” he revealed. “The team had a gameplan that we had discussed before coming in. The coach and the management wanted us to bat for ourselves, for our families and people supporting Test cricket.”
Kraigg Brathwaite, the West Indies Test captain, felt the team’s attitude was really pleasing when things were going their way. “I was confident for the team to fight today and it’s good to come out of it with a draw. I’m very happy,” he said.
“Yesterday evening really summed it up for me. We had a tough time in the field but after tea, Kemar Roach led the way with a positive attitude and we got a breakthrough. That summed it up for me, despite all the overs we had in the field, we still had an attitude that we wanted to do it for the West Indies and I was quite pleased with that. I was happy with the attitude we showed today and the discipline, he played a remarkable innings but I know what he’s capable of.
“We’re looking for wins, to be honest. Coming into the last day needing over 300 runs, I’m happy we came out with a draw. I thought Kemar and Jason led the way with their discipline in terms of their lines and length. In the second innings we missed a few chances and that will happen. As a unit and we just have to keep growing. We won’t always get wins but to come out of this day with a draw shows the fight this team has.”
The two teams will now meet on March 29 at the same venue for the second and final Test to wrap up the tour. (cricbuzz)
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