West Indies stun England by five wickets to level series

(From left) Denesh Ramdin and Jermaine Blackwood celebrating after victory

Bridgetown (Barbados), May 4 (IANS) The West Indies beat England for the first time in six years when they staged a clinical run chase to stun the visitors by five wickets inside three days in the third and final Test here, and levelled the series.

Chasing 192 for victory on Sunday, the Windies were propelled by a superb 82 from stylish left-hander Darren Bravo, as they reached their target late in the evening to seize their first win over England at Kensington Oval in 25 years, reports CMC.

Bravo anchored a crucial fifth-wicket stand of 108 with Man-of-the-Match Jermaine Blackwood who finished on 47 not out and fittingly ended the contest when he lifted off-spinner Moeen Ali over mid-on for his fourth boundary.

The pair came together five minutes after tea when veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul was bowled without scoring, playing on to seamer Jimmy Anderson, to the first ball of the second over after the resumption.

Tentatively poised then at 80 for four, Bravo and Blackwood safely navigated West Indies through the remaining two hours to deny England a series win, and claim only their third victory over their old foes in 15 years.

Bravo faced 148 balls in a shade over three and half hours at the crease and counted seven fours and three sixes while Blackwood, a right-hander, slammed four fours and a six off 104 balls in just under two and half hours.

Earlier, the West Indies claimed the last five England wickets for 86 runs as England, resuming on 37 for five, failed to put up major lower order resistance.

They were undermined by seamer Jason Holder (3-15) and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (3-43) who both picked up two wickets apiece to finish with three-wicket hauls.

Pacer Jerome Taylor claimed the other wicket to end with three for 33.

Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler top-scored with 35 not out, Ben Stokes got 32 while Gary Ballance got 23.

The first Test in Antigua finished in a draw while England won the second in Grenada last week by nine wickets.