England Played A Really Good Game But That Period With The Second New Ball Let Us Down: Jason Holder

England wrapped up a series-levelling victory on the fifth day of the second Test against the West Indies. Jason Holder’s and his men’s grit was not enough against the hosts’ single-minded will to win. It keeps them alive to reclaim the Wisden Trophy as the two sides head to the finale contested at the Old Trafford again. It did not matter to England that they lost the entire third day to the showers. Man of the match Ben Stokes dragged England along with him to make the triumph possible.

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As for West Indies, they suffered batting collapses in both the innings after half-centuries from certain batsmen across two innings. England battled their way to victory after losing two quick wickets in the first innings. Stokes and Dom Sibley brought out their special stand of 260, which was utterly old-school type cricket. It set up the match well for them after which the bowlers also put on a top-class performance.

England entered the fourth day, needing 19 wickets to win. For the most part of that day, the visitors batted with a calm and composed head. However, the new ball from Stuart Broad on that day swung the match in their favour. After that, Ben Stokes played a brisk knock in the third innings and defended 312 with relative ease to win by 113 runs.

“England played a really good game but that period with the second new ball let us down” : Jason Holder

West Indian captain Jason Holder commended the Englishmen for their exemplary display with the bat and ball, consistently challenging them. The Barbadian added that West Indies’ downfall began as England took the new ball in the first innings after 80 overs. While Jason Holder appreciated the defiance shown by their batsmen, he stated that a little more grit and determination from their batsmen would have done the trick.

“England played a really good game but that period with the second new ball let us down. You need to give credit where it’s due, England’s bowlers challenged our batters consistently. But too many of our batters got caught on the crease, on a surface like this you need to commit forward or back. We’ve got to understand scenarios better. We fought through decent periods in the game but maybe need a little bit more grit, determination to get through challenging spells. It’s just about getting through those tough spells,”

The 28-year old addressed the decision to bowl first by saying that Stokes and Sibley were excellent while lamenting the missed chances. However, the number one Test all-rounder does not regret fielding first. Holder conceded that the management would watch how their players recover ahead of the third Test and admitted they need to be at their very best.

“None whatsoever. You’ve got to give Stokes and Sibley some credit. We were unlucky, we put down one or two chances too. These are things we can pay attention to and put right going into the last Test. [Can seamers play third Test?] They’re experienced enough. After a long lay-off you feel it a little bit more. You have to see how the guys pull up over the next couple of days but we’ll see how everybody pulls up. We’re here to fight. I’m sure the guys are feeling this loss. Going into this last game we’re going to give it our all,” Jason Holder concluded.

Also Read: England vs West Indies 2020, 2nd Test, Day 5: Report – Clinical England Wrap Up Victory To Level Series