WI vs ENG: West Indies Coach Phil Simmons Critical Of Antigua Pitch, Bats For An "Even Surface" In 2nd Test

The first Test between England and West Indies ended in a draw with the pitch drawing a lot of attention. The Test match saw batters dominating the bowlers and Windies coach Phil Simmons has expressed his concerns on the same. This was the second drawn Test match in recent times with the drawn Test between Pakistan and Australia in Rawalpindi also drawing a lot of attention of cricket experts.

England scored 311 and 349/6 in their second innings with Jonny Bairstow, Joe Roy and Zak Crawley scoring centuries. West Indies too scored big with 375 in their first innings and 147/4 in their second innings. Bowlers from both teams hardly had a role to play as wicket-taking proved to be a difficult task on this wicket.

Speaking about the wicket, he said that it was a pretty hard wicket to get wickets on. He also raised concerns and hoped that they are presented with an even surface in the second Test in Barbados which starts on March 16.

“I’m hoping for a little more in the wicket (in the next Test) as it’ll make for a better Test match,” Simmons said after the match. “I used to be a batter but you can’t let batters have it easy all the time and it’s hard for bowlers on wickets like these. You need an even surface and let’s compete,” said a concerned-looking Phil Simmons.

Simmons also pointed out a few positives from the first Test. He lauded the batters for holding on to a draw and not crumbling under pressure in the fourth innings.

Good To See The Fight In Fourth Innings: Phil Simmons

“It’s good, we ended up being put under pressure because they have given themselves a chance with 70 odd overs to bowl against us and that’s how you want to finish a Test match looking to win.

“They have come here to play a hard-fought series and shown that they’re not going to lie down. So it’s good to see the fight from them and the other two matches are going to be just as hard,” Simmons concluded saying.

Also Read: Updated ICC World Test Championship Points Table After West Indies vs England 1st Test