ST GEORGE’S, Grenada—Skipper Denesh Ramdin says West Indies have paid the price for losing six wickets in the first session of play on the final day of the second test match against England at the national stadium on Saturday.
The homeside mustered 84 runs in that unlucky first session when wickets stumbled and they never recovered in the face of a devastating new ball spell from seamer James Anderson.
In the end, Ramdin’s men suffered a heavy nine wicket defeat to the Englishmen who now lead the three match series one nil.
“I believe that losing six wickets in one session that is where we fell down,” declared Ramdin in the post-game news conference.
“I think we fought hard for the first four days. Some tough days at the office but losing six wickets and this spell with the new ball really cost us today”.
Resuming the final day on 202 for two—a lead of 37 runs overall—West Indies lost their last eight wickets for 105 runs, to be all out for 307, shortly after lunch.
Opener Kraigg Brathwaite, unbeaten overnight on 101, fell for 118 and his departure in the seventh over of the morning with the score on 224, was followed by six wickets tumbling for 62 runs in quick time.
“Having partnerships and going on should have been very important but they keeping coming at us,” said Ramdin, a wicketkeeper batsman.
“They have a good bowling lineup.. but we can’t take it for granted but we should have just carry out and score more runs and not let the game get away from us”.
West Indies and England play each other in the third and final test at Kensington Oval in Barbados starting May 1.
Ramdin is hoping the pitch at the oval will be helpful to both batsman and bowler.
“So far we got two good pitches that went right down to the last days as the test match went. Hopefully the grounds man could give us something like that that could bounce and spin more or something,” said the Windies captain.
“That’s is quick and fiery and both teams will have good use of it because both teams have good fast bowlers as well”. (CMC)
