Jason Holder: ‘I’m really happy. The boys have worked hard’

West Indies captain Jason Holder spoke to members of media after his team’s amazing victory by four wickets over England in the first Test at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. Jermaine Blackwood marked his return to team with a brilliant 95 off 154 balls with 12 boundaries in the run chase. Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel made a successful comeback from injury with nine wickets for 137 runs off 36.5 overs in the contest. He took 5-75 in the second innings – the sixth five-wicket haul of his career to earn the Man-of-the-Match award.

This gave West Indies the perfect start to the #RaiseTheBat Series on the Sandals Tour of England 2020. They now move to Manchester for the second and third matches at the Emirates Old Trafford.

“I’m really happy. The boys have worked hard and it’s good to see it pay off. This is one of the best performances, one of the best victories, we’ve had as a group in Test cricket. We worked really hard. To me, yesterday was probably one of my best days in Test cricket. It was a hard, long toil and the bowlers really put it in. Every time I asked a bowler to come up and give a spell, they came up trumps and gave a massive effort. Credit must be given to everyone … it was a hard-fought day of Test cricket and we really reaped the rewards at the end,” Holder said after the 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 (Chase) and Jermaine put on a good partnership and settled the nerves. From there we could build on.”

This was Holder’s fourth victory Test win as West Indies captain over England in the last three years, and his 11thoverall. The other three against England came at Headningley in 2017, and then in Barbados and Antigua in 2019 – when West Indies won the Wisden Trophy.

West Indies played their first Test match against England in June 1928. To date West Indies have played 546 matches – with 175 wins, 195 defeats, 175 draws and the famous tie against Australia at the Gabba in December, 1960. West Indies have played England on 158 occasions. West Indies won 58, England won 49 with 51 drawn.

Test Squad: Jason Holder (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Chemar Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach

Reserves: Sunil Ambris, Joshua DaSilva, Keon Harding, Kyle Mayers, Preston McSween, Marquino Mindley, Shayne Moseley, Anderson Phillip, Oshane Thomas, Jomel Warrican

MATCH SCHEDULE #RaiseTheBat Test Matches

July 8-12: 1st Test at Ageas Bowl, Southampton – West Indies won by 6 wickets

July 16-20: 2nd Test at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

July 24-28: 3rd Test at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester