West Indies v England- Holder’s unbeaten ton denies England chance to beat Windies in first Test of three-match series

England were denied a chance to take a 1-0 lead ahead of the second Test against the West Indies as Jason Holder’s unbeaten ton on the final day anchored the hosts to a draw in the first Test of the three-match series on Friday.

England had taken a 340-run lead over the West Indies heading into the fifth and final day of the match after declaring their second innings on 333-7.

As West Indies started their second innings, they were left reeling at 127-4 with the departure of Marlon Samuels on his individual 23 runs off James Anderson’s delivery.

Anderson also had West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin caught by Alastair Cook at slip for his 384th victim, which saw the bowler becoming England’s highest wicket-taker in the long-format of the game and surpassing Sir Ian Botham’s record.

The hosts started their second innings on shaky grounds as opener Kraigg Brathwaite was dismissed for a paltry five runs, while top-order batsman Dwayne Bravo went on 32 runs. Devon Smith provided some stability with his 65-run knock, but the West Indies struggled further as they were reduced to 294-7, which for some time threw the ball in England’s yard.

However, Holder turned the match on its axis as he arrived on the pitch to hit an unbeaten 103 and guide the West Indies to a deserving draw.

He was named the Player of the Match for his 216-ball 103-run knock that included 15 boundaries.

The second Test of the Wisdon Trophy would be played at the National Cricket Stadium in St. George’s, Grenada, with both the teams tied 0-0 in the series.