PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad –Jermaine Blackwood scored a high-quality half-century in his first Test Match innings as West Indies kept control after the third day of the second Test against New Zealand on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old made 63 in 2 ½ hours off 110 balls with six crisp boundaries and two towering sixes as West Indies made 460 – a first innings lead of 239. New Zealand will resume Thursday at 73-1.
Blackwood was involved in crucial eighth-wicket stand of 76 with skipper Denesh Ramdin – who made 32 in his first match as captain on home soil. The newcomer also added 47 for the seventh wicket with Shivnarine Chanderpaul – who made 47.
Blackwood was composed from the start of his innings and played with confidence and assurance. He said afterwards that even though he was made to work hard for his runs, he was delighted with the effort.
“It was a wonderful feeling going to the crease and batting with the great Shivnarine Chanderpaul. I was a bit nervous at the start but he kept telling me just to play myself in and try to relax, back my ability and play what I know,” said Blackwood.
“It was not easy. I fought right through and played on merit. I tried to play positive and I was always looking for singles. I always look to score and be positive. I’m happy with the lead we have but we still have to apply the pressure on New Zealand and look to continue to look for the wickets and try to level the series.”
Blackwood, a graduate of the Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre, said the time spent there was a defining period in his career.
“The time there meant a lot. Everyday I got to train and work on my game. The coaches were brilliant and I was able to bat for hours and learn a lot of cricket and about life,” he said.
FULL SQUAD
Denesh Ramdin (Captain)
Sulieman Benn
Jermaine Blackwood
Kraigg Brathwaite
Darren Bravo
Shiv Chanderpaul
Kirk Edwards
Shannon Gabriel
Chris Gayle
Jason Holder
Leon Johnson
Shane Shillingford
Kemar Roach
Jerome Taylor
TEAM MANAGEMENT
Ottis Gibson (Head Coach)
Sir Richard Richardson (Team Manager)
Sir Curtly Ambrose (Bowling Consultant)
Stuart Williams (Assistant Coach)
Andre Coley (Assistant Coach)
C.J. Clark (Physiotherapist)
Hector Martinez Charles (Strength & Conditioning Co-ordinator)
Richard Berridge (Video & Statistical Analyst)
Philip Spooner (Media Manager)
Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist)
SERIES SCHEDULE
June 8-12: First Test – New Zealand won by 186 runs at Sabina Park, Jamaica
June 16-20: Second Test – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad
June 26-30: Third Test – Kensington Oval, Barbados
July 5: First T20I – Windsor Park, Dominica
July 6: Second T20I – Windsor Park, Dominica
