TEST: Chase ton up, but England win by 232 runs
SUMMARY: England 277 (Stokes 79, Buttler 67, Roach 4-48, Gabriel 2-49, Paul 2-58, Joseph 2-61) and 361-5 declared (Root 122, Denly 69, Buttler 56, Stokes 48*, Jennings 23, Gabriel 2-95, Paul 1-11, Roach 1-45, Joseph 1-72) beat West Indies 154 (Campbell 41, Dowrich 38, Wood 5-41, Moeen 4-36) and 252 (Chase 102*, Joseph 34, Roach 29, Anderson 3-27, Moeen 3-99) by 232 runs.
England defeated West Indies by 232 runs with a day to spare in the third and final Test in St. Lucia on Tuesday. Faced with a huge target of 485, West Indies were dismissed for 252 late on day four with Jimmy Anderson and Moeen Ali taking three wickets apiece.
Despite the win, England lost the three-match series 2-1, after West Indies won the first two matches in Barbados and Antigua quite convincingly. It was England’s second Test win in the Caribbean since 2004.
West Indies futile run-chase in this Test was led by Roston Chase’s fifth hundred, an unbeaten 102, after he came in with his side in a wobble at 10-3.
West Indies top-order fell cheaply; they were 76-5 at one stage when Shimron Hetmyer was run out for 19, failing to complete a third run.
It was the lower-order, led by Chase, that delayed England’s victory charge. Alzarri Joseph struck three sixes in 34 and Kemar Roach played well for 29. The injured Keemo Paul, who came out to bat with Chase on 98, was last man out for 12 to seal England’s day.
Mark Wood, who claimed a five-wicket haul in the first innings, was named Man-of-the-Match, while Kemar Roach, with a series-leading 18 wickets, was voted Man-of-the-Series.
Post-match comments (compliments ESPNCricinfo)
England captain Joe Root: “I thought we played some good cricket. In that first innings we managed to find a way to ride out some difficult moments in bowler-friendly conditions and then we got up to a good score. Then the bowlers got us on top and we went from there. We played better, that’s important, we’ve got a fantastic squad, but over the next couple of years you’ll see a huge amount of improvement. [Hundred?] I spent some time working on things, make sure I’m lining things up, disappointed to get out in the manner I did in the first innings but nice to make it count. [Wood?] He bowled fantastically well, great pace, made for great theatre, great to be on the field watching it and to see him come back into the side and show how good a player he is. Important we performed well this week, tough tour, West Indies have played fantastically but for us to come back and win is pleasing and a real step forward. Thank you to everyone that’s come and watched over the three games.”
West Indies captain Jason Holder: “Bit disappointed [to lose], but still positives. Credit to the boys, we played a good series, lots of improvement but lots of positive coming out of the series. I tried to share as much info as I could, tough watching from the outside. The way we’ve won, it shows we’re moving in the right direction. [Chase ton?] Really pleasing, had a chat with Roston before the game, good to see him get some runs. We could have rolled over, given it up, but I’m really happy he could get his hundred. [Next challenges?] Three facets of the game, we have to be clinical. Bowling has been outstanding, we need to strike a good balance. Counts in the rankings, counts for the morale of the side as well. We need to continue to build and not just rest on our laurels. Places we can improve, we want to be No.1. Thanks to those who came and supported us, and the the English who came out as well.”
Man-of-the-Match Mark Wood: “I was full of confidence after the Lions tour, wanted to hit the ground running and back it up. [Pace?] I don’t know, wasn’t thinking about the gun, watched Gabriel all series knocking us down, thought I had to get some back for us. [Second innings?] Like running on a beach running in, we gave it a good go and got over the line. [Ashes spot?] I’m not thinking that far ahead, we’ve got a great squad, plenty more cricket to go. Kevin Shine, Chris Silverwood, they’ve kept the faith in me, so I’m very thankful.”
Man-of-the-Series Kemar Roach: “Pretty good series for me, all the hard work has paid off. Very competitive, pleased for the first Test series win of 2019. Ball felt good in my had, put in the right areas and got the rewards. Coming up here, we put our best foot forward, but a great feeling to win a series, been a while. Very proud of the guys and want us to work hard and move forward. Good to get on the park, looking forward to the cricket coming up and doing well for the West Indies. [Bowling strength?] Batting could be better, but the guys stuck to the task, working hard in the nets, stay positive and stick to the process, trust yourself and we’ll get it.”