West Indies beat England by four wickets in thrilling First Test full of drama

Test cricket returned, and needed just one match to remind us why it is the greatest game.

West Indies’ victory over England – by a margin of four wickets (and it felt a lot closer than that) – was always not the highest quality fare but it never lacked drama, and had just about everything, right up to 6pm on the final day.

Before it even began there were was selection contention, and the two teams came together for a special and necessary show of solidarity. When the game got going there were brilliant spells of fast bowling and some fine batting (if not, quite, a century), a wide array of weather and entertaining interviews.

All that was missing was a crowd. It had taken a mighty effort (not least from the Windies in coming to this country) and plenty of cash to get it on, and was worth every drop and penny. Any old cricket would have done, but this was far better than any old cricket. Nothing came easy for either team, and the result was a win for the underdog, and the away team. Neither of those things happen that often in Test cricket. We have a thrilling series on our hands.

On the final day it was all about Jofra Archer, who proved unwarranted doubters wrong, and Jermaine Blackwood, who produced an innings that most thought he could not. Indeed many would not even have had him in the team, or believed that his improved first-class numbers would translate to this level, especially after his shot in the first innings. He fell caught at mid-off again – but this time he had 95 to his name.

Archer dominated the first half of the day, Blackwood the second. Blackwood won, and joined Shannon Gabriel and Jason Holder in the queue of Caribbean candidates for man of the match.

After Archer helped bosh an extra 29 (with Gabriel taking the last two wickets to finish with five in the innings and nine in the match) to set a target of exactly 200, England started brilliantly. There were five maidens in the first seven overs and, in that time, both openers were removed – in one way or another. John Campbell was bashed on the toe by an Archer yorker, and retired hurt. Then Kraigg Brathwaite was bowled off his inside edge and, in his following over, Archer had Shamarh Brooks plumb lbw.

When Mark Wood bowled Shai Hope, West Indies were 37 for three, and not sure if Campbell would be able to return (it was soon clear that he would bat if required). They were in deep trouble; when, in the final over before lunch, Roston Chase survived a tight lbw review from Dom Bess, preventing the situation becoming terminal.

After lunch, the Windies got exactly what they needed: a quiet half-hour. And, as the ball softened and the pitch flattened, England became ragged. Ben Stokes got in a tangle at slip off Bess, and a Blackwood edge flashed past him. Jos Buttler dropped a regulation legside strangle off Blackwood on 29. Before he had added to his score, Zak Crawley fumbled a run out chance. Then an edge flashed past Rory Burns at gully, although replays revealed Stokes had overstepped, so the mistake was twofold. The drinks break arrived not a moment too soon, with 105 required.

With the partnership worth 77, Stokes turned to Archer once more and he found a lifting beauty to have Chase caught at slip, off the glove and shoulder. England had their opening but, despite a skittish start from Shane Dowrich (who survived a tight review from Bess and had a decision overturned when given out off Archer), could not make it count. Blackwood grew and grew, driving boundaries with impunity. In no time, the partnership had passed 50.

There was time for one last twist. With 33 required, Stokes returned. He immediately had Dowrich edging to slip, only for a no-ball to be revealed. Never mind, he edged the next ball to the keeper.

Out came Holder, as ever the picture of calm. From him, there was no fuss, but Blackwood played to type. He moved to 95, then drilled Stokes to mid-off. Campbell joined Holder, and was hit on the grille by Wood. It did not matter, as the opener turned Stokes to leg to complete a famous win.