By Brandon Corlette
After the first innings when Jermaine Blackwood, who is known in the West Indies camp as “Big Dadz,” failed to score heavy and was dismissed with a rouge shot, many would have questioned his place in the team, especially with Test double centurion and the World’s number one all-rounder Jason Holder batting at eight.
Some may have called for the inclusion of the extra spinner in Rahkeem Cornwall and the promotion of new and improved wicket-keeper batsman Shane Dowrich and Holder respectively.
Come to the second innings when it mattered the most the lion-hearted Jamaican Blackwood silenced all the surrounding noise with a match-winning 95 on the final day of the famous Test match post-Covid-19. Blackwood had narrowly missed out on his second Test century after he completed the double of being dismissed in similar fashion; caught at mid-off, attempting to go over the top after a brain fade.
Captain Holder, sharing his sentiments on Blackwood’s stellar efforts noted that the little right-handed Jamaican, Blackwood, is simply a team man. “If I had twelve Jermaine Blackwoods those are the kind of guys I want step on the field with me. These are team guys through thick and thin.” Holder, who played a lot of cricket with Blackwood, including a Youth World Cup, explained that Blackwood cannot be kept in the shell.
“When things happen like how they did in the first innings for him (Blackwood), it is disappointing, but a player like him needs all the support. He is a team man, he is just a humble team man and he puts his team at heart.” Blackwood, who featured in the Sky Sports Player Zone after his 95 noted that at no point in time he was focused on scoring a century. He had his eyes set on the prize of winning and winning only.
When asked about if Blackwood would have played in the starting XI if Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer were on tour, Holder said he would not get into selection, but Blackwood’s number has spoken for itself. Holder noted that Blackwood had made a strong case for himself after scoring the most runs at the Regional 4-Day tournament, including a double century in one inning.
Holder also gave credit to Blackwood and Gabriel at the Test match special post match. “I’m happy that Gabriel came back well and Blackwood too. They put their hands up and led the charge. “It was a nerve-wracking start after losing quick three wickets and Campbell to injury. But Roston and Jermaine put on a good partnership and settled the nerves. From there we could build on.
Holder, who also spoke about this memorable win during his virtual post match is extremly happy with this performance but ten days of cricket are ahead. The Test skipper noted that the Test group have matured and he is delighted with this spirit.
This win in the first Test is not a series win but perhaps it is a start to something special for the West Indies. The men in maroon deserved all the credit but heading into the second Test on Thursday, July 16, this consistency must be extended for the Caribbean men to clinch the series. Time will tell where Holder and his upbeat team goes from here.