The cricket fraternity has come as one to salute West Indies for their dazzling triumph over England in the initial Test of the three-match series which finished at Rose Bowl Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Shannon Gabriel stowed a five-wicket pull before Jermaine Blackwood crushed a rankling thump of 95 hurries to enable West Indies to beat England by four wickets in the main match and take a 1-0 lead in the arrangement.
From legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar to Indian captain Virat Kohli, numerous current and former players took to their social media handles to praise the Caribbean side for winning the first universal fixture since the game was disrupted due to coronavirus pandemic in March this year.
Taking to his official Twitter handle, Tendulkar previously hailed great all-round exhibitions of both the sides before praising Blackwood for playing pivotal thump in a tense circumstance to manage the visitors to win.
“Good all-round performances by players from both teams. Jermaine Blackwood played a crucial knock in a tense situation to see @windiescricket through. An important win which has set up the series perfectly. #ENGvWI,” Tendulkar tweeted.
Good all-round performances by players from both teams.
Jermaine Blackwood played a crucial knock in a tense situation to see @windiescricket through. An important win which has set up the series perfectly. #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/PLbJlqIe8c— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 12, 2020
Kohli, on the other hand, lauded the Caribbean side for a top display of Test cricket.
“Wow @windiescricket what a win. Top display of test cricket,” the Indian captain wrote.
Wow @windiescricket what a win. Top display of test cricket.
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) July 12, 2020
Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra also congratulated West Indies for their victory, while also thanking England for making Test cricket possible at this difficult time.
“Well played, West Indies. Well played, Test Cricket Thank You, England….for making this possible in current times. Gratitude. #EngWI #TestCricket,” Chopra tweeted.
Well played, West Indies.
Well played, Test Cricket 🏏
Thank You, England….for making this possible in current times. Gratitude. #EngWI #TestCricket— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 12, 2020
Renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle, on the other hand, tweeted, “Brilliant result for an understated, determined West Indies side. Excellent test match. This has been good for our game.”
Brilliant result for an understated, determined West Indies side. Excellent test match. This has been good for our game.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 12, 2020
Congratulating West Indies for a stunning victory over England, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif lauded Jason Holder for leading the side exceptionally well and Shannon Gabriel and Blackwood for playing quality cricket.
“Excellent win for @windiescricket Led exceptionally by @Jaseholder98; Shannon Gabriel (9 wkts) stood up & Blackwood played a great knock in the run-chase. Great start to cricket after a long break. Crowds wont be back in the stadiums but quality cricket is surely back #ENGvWI,” he wrote.
Excellent win for @windiescricket
Led exceptionally by @Jaseholder98; Shannon Gabriel (9 wkts) stood up & Blackwood played a great knock in the run-chase. Great start to cricket after a long break. Crowds won’t be back in the stadiums but quality cricket is surely back #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/DmkHBF8AML— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 12, 2020
Meanwhile, former opener Virender Sehwag too took to social media and hailed the phenomenal effort of the entire West Indies side.
“Test Cricket matters, winning overseas matters, @windiescricket doing well in Test cricket matters. Great to see Test Match cricket back and great to see West Indies win. A phenomenal effort from the whole WI team. Congratulations #ENGvWI,” Sehwag tweeted.
Test Cricket matters, winning overseas matters, @windiescricket doing well in Test cricket matters. Great to see Test Match cricket back and great to see West Indies win. A phenomenal effort from the whole WI team. Congratulations #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/yKUILMdOEr
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 12, 2020
