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We can retain Wisden Trophy – J’can duo

Published:Friday | July 3, 2020 | 12:31 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
Windies Jamaican batsman Nkrumah Bonner (right) plays a shot through the slips while at the innings for Jason Holder’s XI on the final day of their inter-squad warm-up game at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, yesterday.
Windies Jamaican batsman Nkrumah Bonner (right) plays a shot through the slips while at the innings for Jason Holder’s XI on the final day of their inter-squad warm-up game at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, yesterday.

Jamaican middle-order batsmen Jermaine Blackwood and Nkrumah Bonner are in high spirits and confident about their form as the Windies team gets ready for the first of three Tests against hosts England starting on Wednesday.

The duo registered scores of over 40 on the final day of the four-day inter-squad practice match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England.

The right-hander said after his innings yesterday that things were coming together nicely and that it was good to spend some time at the crease ahead of the match.

“It was good to bat some balls in the middle, and that is exactly what I needed going into the first Test,” Blackwood said. “I feel very confident in the work that I have put in over the past few weeks, and the preparation has been exceptional. As a team, we know that it will not be an easy task, but we are up for the challenge and confident that we will retain the Wisden trophy.”

Looking for a United Effort

Compatriot Bonner has the same sentiment as he, too, got a few runs under his belt heading into the opening encounter. Although it is unlikely that Bonner will get into the final 11, he is looking for a united effort from the team with the bat as they put their best foot forward against the hosts.

“There is great camaraderie and unity in the camp, and we know the goal ahead of us is to win back the Wisden Trophy,” Bonner said. “Over the past year, the batting has been struggling, but the bowling has been holding up its end of it. I think with the batting, if we can score the runs and put it on the board, that would give us the best chance of coming out successful on this tour.”

Blackwood faced 48 balls and hit seven fours in his knock of 43, while Bonner faced 114 balls and hit three fours and a six for his 47 for Jason Holder’s XI. They totalled 171 for four, batting a second time in the drawn warm-up game.

It was the first real significant score for both batsmen on tour, with Blackwood’s previous best being 15 runs in the second innings of the first three-day warm-up match.