At stumps on the fourth day of the second Test between touring England and the West Indies, England was 40 not out in the second innings. Accordingly, they are currently 136 runs ahead.
West Indies were bowled out for 411 in the first innings by England bowlers. Jermaine Blackwood scored 102 off 215 balls while Kraigg Brathwaite led the innings with 160 off 489 balls.
Speaking to the media after the match, skipper Brathwaite said it was a long inning played for his team and also said he was happy to score a century at home with his family…
“It was obviously a long knock. It was time spent out there for the team. Tomorrow is another big day and we’re going to have work extremely hard. Scoring runs as an opener is always a great feeling. I’m happy to get a hundred here at home with my family here.”
He also said that he had devoted the last few years to the red ball and had never given up on the white ball.
Skipper Brathwaite is arguably the most successful batsman in the West Indies squad in the last few years and He’s been one of the team’s top scorers over the past few years.
Brathwaite, who played in the final One Day International 2017, has not played in any Twenty20 matches. He said,
“It’s just unfortunate that every time we have a Test series it’s during our 50 over tournament. So, I don’t get an opportunity to perform in that format.”
Kraigg also added that he missed the ODI format due to his commitment to Test cricket and that he wanted to play again.
“I still love to play 50 over cricket, it’s an aspiration of mine but obviously Test cricket I have been fighting hard for the last few years and I really enjoy it, the grind, but at some point, I would love to get back into ODI cricket.”
He also said that he hopes to show his talent in the ODIs and enter the Twenty20s.
“T20 as well, obviously you get into 50 over and show progress there and then get into T20. It will be tough but I’m still looking to get there.”