West Indies captain Jason Holder, in the center, successfully appeals through the gate of England’s Jofra Archer. (AP)
West Indies captain Jason Holder took the career-best mark of 6-42 and won the first round of his private duel with England champion Ben Stokes as the touring team took control of the first Test at the Ageas Bowl on Thursday.
Holder took advantage of more favorable bowling conditions under overcast skies on Day 2 to claim his seventh five-wicket run, and sixth in his last 10 races, and help discard England by 204.
One of his wickets was Stokes, England’s substitute captain, who was knocked down twice before Holder pushed him forward and approached to reach the team’s maximum 43.
Shannon Gabriel used her pace and length to catch England’s first three wickets and then the last, from James Anderson, who made 30 potentially crucial runs with Dom Bess (31 not out) for the last wicket, finishing 4-62).
The West Indies had a record of 57-1 in response after 19.3 overs when the poor light stopped playing just before 6 p.m. Local time in Southampton. The teams never returned to the field.
Holder vs. Stokes has been billed as the series’ largest subplot, and the world’s top two SUVs have already made their mark on a series played in an isolated setting with no fans due to the pandemic.
While Stokes took advantage of his luck by scoring higher for England, Holder immediately settled into a rhythm with his precise medium-fast bowling to break through the middle and lower order after the hosts resumed 35-1.
West Indies captain Jason Holder celebrates the dismissal of Mark Wood from England with his teammates. (AP)
In a spell, when Holder took his fifth wicket by reviewing an lbw decision against Jofra Archer (0) that was not initially disclosed, the West Indies captain took 3-1 on 14 balls.
“My patience has definitely increased,” Holder said. “Before, I was trying to cast too many deliveries in one spell.
“I look at consistency, and patience was one of the things that I lacked. Using the crease is something I strive to do and using the angles at the delivery point. When you’re not as fast as some people, you have to be skillful.”
Holder also said that he definitely would not have hit first if the West Indies had won the draw. That was the choice Stokes made on his first call as England captain, and he may end up regretting it.
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