West Indies clinch Test series 2-0
The hosts reached 206 for five having started the day just 71 runs short of victory, as Shivnarine Chanderpaul hit the winning run to add to last month’s nine-wicket success. Kemar Roach, voted player of the series, missed a half century as he was the only wicket to fall on the day, caught for 41 by Tim Southee off the bowling of Kane Williamson, who induced an outside edge as the hosts claimed their first Test series against the tourists in 16 years.
Narsingh Deonarine came in and helped Chanderpaul guide his side past the winning post, the former levelling the scores with two towards mid-wicket before nicking a single towards third man.
West Indies’ skipper Darren Sammy praised his side afterwards - then looked forward.
“The next assignment is the World Twenty20,” said Sammy. “We have gotten the feeling of what it is like to win, but we have to continue to work hard. The last year or two has been tough for us - we are going to celebrate this day, but it is about continuous hard work.”
The touring captain, Ross Taylor, was disappointed with his side’s effort on the tour, ruing their missed chances.
“There are some positives, the bowlers bowled well on a tough pitch,” said Taylor. “We needed to set them 270-300 on what was a fourth-day wicket. I think our batsmen shouldn’t be satisfied with 50-60s, we are a young team, we are getting better every now and then.”
Although Chris Gayle – returning to the Test fold after 18 months on the sidelines – could only make eight while fellow opener Kieran Powell only managed six, first innings centurion Marlon Samuels then stepped into the breach once again with an innings-leading 52. Sammy praised Samuels and Deonarine for their significant contributions.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 7th, 2012.
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