After a long wait of 10 years, the West Indies thumped England in a Test series at home. After clinching the 3-match rubber 2-1, skipper Jason Holder now wishes to make his the No. 1 Test team in the world.
England came into the series as overwhelming favourites after having whitewashed Sri Lanka 3-0 in their own den. However, the West Indies, which is presently lying at the eighth spot in the ICC Test team rankings, seems to have rediscovered some of the spirits of their illustrious predecessors.
“We need to continue to build and not rest on our laurels. Our number one goal is to be the No. 1 team in the world, so there is a lot to improve on,” Holder was quoted as saying by the ICC.
Praising his bowlers, who were the driving force behind their victory, Holder further said, “Our bowlers have done an outstanding job. It is up to our batsmen to contribute more.”
Significantly, pacer Kemar Roach, who was adjudged Man of the Series, led the charge, scalping 18 wickets in the just concluded three Tests.
However, it was the batsmen, who let the Carribean side down in the final Test. Joe Root's men were taken aback by the outcome of the opening two Tests, where they were humbled by 381 runs in the first game and then by 10 wickets in the second fixture before salvaging pride with a 232-run win the third and final affair.
With the Tests over, both the sides will now indulge in a five-match ODI rubber before the three-match Twenty20 International series.