England vs West Indies 1st Test: 5 Talking Points as Blackwood steers visitors to historic 4-wicket win

#4 Shannon Gabriel has his moment of redemption against England

Gabriel took 9 wickets in the Test to win the Man of the Match award

Against England at St. Lucia in 2019, Shannon Gabriel directed a homophobic insult at England captain Joe Root and found himself on the receiving end of demerit points and a ban. A year later against the same opposition, the burly pacer had his moment of redemption, albeit in the absence of Root.

After dismissing England's top three to pick up 4/62 in the first innings, Gabriel continued in the same vein in the second to tally a 5-wicket haul and register match figures of 9/137. The fast bowler's 5-for in the second innings was only his 5th in Test cricket but served as an indication that he has put the past behind him.

With the questions over his fitness now dispelled by a Man of the Match performance, Gabriel will look to lead his team to a memorable series win in England.

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#3 Has Zak Crawley done enough to retain his place for the 2nd Test?

Crawley fought valiantly in England's second innings

Young Zak Crawley fought valiantly in England's second innings, with his fluent 76 ensuring that his team had enough runs on the board to mount a serious challenge on Day 5. The batsman played at #4 in this Test, the preferred batting position of England captain Joe Root, who missed this game to attend the birth of his child.

When Root returns for the second Test, one player among Joe Denly, Zak Crawley, and Ollie Pope has to be sacrificed, with the most likely victim being Denly after a string of average scores. With age not on his side, Denly could have played his last Test for England.

We could see Crawley pushed up to No. 3, or the skipper might take full responsibility and move one position higher. Irrespective of what transpires in the lead-up to the 2nd Test, the 22-year-old should have done enough to retain his place in the England XI.