Blackwood high in praise of Joseph's knock

WEST INDIES middle order batsman Jermaine Blackwood expressed delight with his unbeaten 107-run partnership with Alzarri Joseph after the third day of the opening Test match against hosts New Zealand at Seddon Park, Hamilton on Saturday.

After capitulating for 138 in their first innings, in reply to the Black Caps’ first innings score of 519/7 declared, the first Test seemed on course for an early conclusion. The visitors were sent back in to bat trailing by a distant 381 runs and closed the third day’s play on a daunting 196/6.

With just two – Darren Bravo (12 runs) and Kraigg Brathwaite (ten) – of the top five WI batsmen getting into double figures in their second innings, the men in maroon struggled at 89/6 before Joseph’s entry in the middle.

Blackwood (80 not out) and Joseph (59 not out) carefully built a useful seventh wicket stand for the visitors.

At the post-day media conference, Blackwood was a bit disappointed with the squad’s overall batting performance. He, however, credited Joseph for his commitment in the middle and also inspiring him to play on.

“When Alzarri came to the crease I just told him to play his natural game and that I would try to bat as long as possible," Blackwood said. "We agreed to stay here (at the crease) with each other. I hit two balls in the air and then I told myself that I need to stay here with Alzarri and bat.

“He takes pride in his batting, as well as his fielding. It’s good to see him come out and bat the way he did. I’m pretty proud of myself as well the way I went about things today. A mixture of aggressiveness and then try to get a good selection (of shots) as much as possible,” said the 29-year old Jamaican.

Undeniably, Blackwood also commended New Zealand’s bowling attack, which continues to play a decisive role in hampering the WI’s progress. He also called on his Caribbean teammates to step up their game if they are to deliver a positive showing in the remaining Test.

Blackwood believes if these shortcomings are swiftly corrected, WI would have a better chance of clinching the second and final Test, which bowls off in Wellington on Thursday.

“We can commend the New Zealand bowlers for the way the bowled the new ball. If I’m going to mark our batsmen, I think some of us get out to easily, (me) as well in the first innings. They know that and are going to come back and work on that in the next Test."

When asked which Black Caps bowler was the trickiest to face, Blackwood responded, “Tim Southee, pretty much the slower of the rest of the bowlers but he was swinging the ball a lot earlier.... and (Trent) Boult. (In the) second innings, (Neil) Wagner because he was running in every delivery. He was coming at me. I think he bowled a very nice spell to me as well.”

Heading into the fourth day’s play, Blackwood said the pitch at Hamilton is “pretty good”. According to him, some of the balls bounce inconsistently but it all boils down to how batsmen apply themselves.

He closed, “If you can take a page out of (New Zealand's captain) Kane Williamson’s book I think he played the ball pretty late when the sun is hot or when the sun is down. Our batters know that so I guess for sure the next Test you’re going to see a better effort from the batting unit going forward.”