England captain ‘was in my ear’ during key innings of 95Blackwood now aims ‘to bat as long as possible’ in TestsJermaine Blackwood overcame the devil on his shoulder and a few words from Ben Stokes when guiding West Indies to the four-wicket victory that puts them 1-0 up going into Thursday’s second Test.
The Jamaican batsman, 28, has long had a reputation for self-destructive moments out in the middle and, with Jason Holder’s side wobbling on 27 for three in pursuit of 200 on the final day in Southampton, appeared an unlikely saviour. After all, just two days earlier the right-hander had thrown his wicket away in the West Indies first innings when slapping Dom Bess straight to mid-off on 12 – a dismissal the
England off-spinner later dubbed “a rogue shot”.