Tag: #Bonner

Holder and Bonner made sure to eke out a Draw against England on a Spicy Day 5 Pitch

The moment Holder and Bonner came into bat, West Indies had lost 4 wickets and were on the verge of a defeat. England’s bowlers had 30 odd overs to rip of the batting line up. Root rotated Stokes, Woakes and Overton while at the other end it was Jack Leach. Leach was bowling a brilliant spell as he was getting ample turn which was enough to make a batter think twice before defending a ball.

Holder and Bonner were resolute in their defence. They not only made sure to play out deliveries, but made sure that they are blocking the ball in the middle of the bat. Holder in general was busy in leaving the ball which made a statement that he isn’t finished yet, as earlier in 1st innings; he was out immediately as he was undone by the trap of Ben Stokes. Bonner was typical in his defence as he continued from where he left in the 1st innings.

Holder and Bonner consumed more than 200 deliveries amongst themselves. Holder was gritty against Leach as Leach had the knack of knocking over any batter. He was just bossing the game with lethal line and lengths, at times the batter too appreciated his bowling. Leach made the most use of a dreadful pitch for batters as picking up 3 wickets wasn’t that easy as it looks.

West Indies and England are now scheduled to clash on 16th March 2022 at Barbados. Richards-Botham Trophy didn’t started like a Bang but there was exhibition of immense determination from Bairstow,Bonner and Holder. The pitch probably was docile but it wasn’t that bad for a Cricket Fan where there was even contest with bat and ball. Barbados pitch is expected to be a turner where we can expect 2 spinners in the playing 11 for both the teams. West Indies would be proud of their performance as not only their Bonner was adept while the Pacers too made England batters down on their music. England on the other hand would be relieved as they found their old Johnny Bairstow who was batting in an aggressive manner which reminded the fans of 2018-19 season; Leach’s 3 wickets are a huge boost as now they can plan to play another spinner. All in all, no team has an advantage for the 2nd Test Match which makes the contest more even than ever; Richards-Botham Trophy is tied on 0-0 and the winner of the trophy has to win both test matches. West Indies have a wood over England, while the same can be said for England.

SNAPSHOT: Holder and Bonner bailing out West Indies from a difficult Day 5

Bonner and Permaul Deepen the Agony for England as the Lead goes past 50

Bonner continued his grit game and made sure that England bowlers throw the towel down. He along with Permaul drained England’s bowlers. The likes of Stokes who earlier in the day has changed the course too had an off color day. Permaul took small strides and scored runs and used feet against Leach.

Joe Root once again was seen helpless as of now his captaincy is by no means great. Mark Wood once again was not given the ball in hand, there may be a possibility that he is injured or going some work on his shoulder, he has had problem with this, earlier during India Test Series in England 2021; he was sidelined due to a Jarred Shoulder. Chris Woakes used all the tricks in the book but West Indies batters were ready for it. With only few overs left for the 2nd new ball, England needs to quickly take it and make sure that West Indies aren’t touching the landmark of 100 runs lead.

West Indies batsman Nkrumah Bonner has silenced all the critics by facing more than 350 odd balls. Sticking to the Crease at this pitch was an arduous task, the tail-enders have faced more than 150 balls which speaks volumes of hard work which bowlers are putting in with the bat too. Bonner’s one stand out feature has been that he hasn’t lost his concentration by any means, he gave one opportunity when he was dropped in slip by Zak Crawley on the bowling of Jack Leach; other than that he has been solid as a Rock. Bonner would be thrilled to know that his knock would open West Indies account in the Richards-Botham Trophy 2022.

Day 4 would be a Fascinating Contest where Caribbean Fast Bowlers would be Roaring to Knock off England’s Out of form batters. The debutant Alex Lees would be tested as earlier he was undone by the sheer brilliance by Kemar Roach. Skipper Joe Root who now has gone back to No.3 position would be wary of the fact that he needs to be more than ever chary as there are high chances that he may come into bat on the very 2nd ball. The Invincible Stokes will have to use all his experience to give England a chance in the 1st Test Match. West Indies on the other hand would sense that they have this Test Match under their control, only they can lose from here onwards which can happen due to their unpredictable nar
ture, which is far away but this possibilities can’t be ignored. England and West Indies have had this unpredictable tag, so who knows what lies ahead on the 4th Day. All in all, just like 3rd Day the Cricket World would witness an intriguing day of Test Match where the Momentum is with West Indies.

SNAPSHOT: Nkrumah Bonner Raises his Bat after Scoring 123 Runs.

Nkrumah Bonner notches up his 2nd Test Century, West Indies pile on the pain as lead increases

SNAPSHOT: Nkrumah Bonner Raises his Bat after Scoring a Hard-fought Century against the Courageous Britain.

In the very 1st over Bonner completed his century. There was no angry celebration from his side as he knows that his Job isn’t finished yet. Kemar Roach got run out, it can be said that the pacer played a critical role in the partnership. Roach played out 80 odd deliveries in his knock which indeed is a good job done.

Joe Root handed the ball to Leach in a hope that his turning deliveries would outfox the batters. Root made a mistake by not giving the ball to Mark Wood, his express pace would have been threatening to West Indies spinner Permaul. Leach has been bowling his heart out but nothing is happening. Root would be thinking of another spin bowling option which is no one than himself.

West Indies would be thrilled as now they have found a proper middle order batter in the form of Nkrumah Bonner. The dismissal of Roach made Bonner more responsible as now he is playing determined shots better than ever. Bonner has got ample support from Permaul as he has now got his eye in. Caribbean Pacers would be watching more keenly as the bowl is keeping low and the bowlers are getting a lot of uneven bounce and movement.

Post Drinks break, Evening Session is showing us that how this Test Match is moving. Batting is by no means easy now which means that England are in a precarious position. West Indies would be eyeing to get a Crack at England’s batters before the end of Day’s play, a small session of 5-10 overs would be icing on the cake. On the other side, England are not yet down and out, they should not let lead go beyond 100 otherwise making a comeback would be tough. All in all, West Indies look all set to win the Inaugural Richards-Botham Trophy’s 1st Test Match unless and until England play out out of their skin and produce a miraculous performance.

Bonner Plays Smart as West Indies start their 1st innings Lead

West Indies started off their post drinks break Afternoon Session wittily. Bonner was playing a typical Test Match knock where he left deliveries and made sure that West Indies are in a strong position. Roach on the other side displayed immense mental application as blocking too was not an easy task. The West Indies batters now have made sure that can deepen the agony for Joe Root & Co.


Joe Root knew that the fast bowlers are tired and he gave the ball to Jack Leach. The left arm off spinner got the turn, bounce and was seen troubling the batters more often than. He opportunities twice, one for Bonner and another one was for Roach. On both the occasions the slip fielder dropped the catches and gave a life to these batters. It is often said Catches win Matches, Root would be angry and would be banging his head on the door for missed opportunities, because now the team has lost the plot and advantage.

West Indies know that any lead around 150 would seal the Test Match for them. Bonner is on the verge of a Fantastic Century whereas Roach now has started to change the gears. Roach and Bonner played out the Session and went unscathed. The partnership amongst the two batters is of 40 runs and in doing so they have consumed a lot of balls that too in excess of 140.

The Evening Session would definitely and undoubtedly give the Cricket Fraternity an idea of which way the Test Match is heading. 123 overs have been bowled so far, the new ball is distant; once again the Pacers will depend on reverse swing which indeed is a tough task. West Indies now would be aiming to get a Dominating Session, 1st Hour holds the key here; if they score 50-70 odd runs then they would believe that they are in the Driver’s Seat. On the other Side England know that they have let the opponent took the control of Test Match, the likes of Woakes and especially Wood need to rip off the remaining batters, otherwise it would be a Cake Walk for Caribbean bowlers.

SNAPSHOT: Nkrumah Bonner Making an Impact as the Lead for West Indies begins.

Nkrumah Bonner makes sure that Caribbean don’t lose the plot

Post lunch session was pivotal, especially the first hour. Jack Leach, the left arm off spinner got rid of well set Joshua Da Silva. His departure made the Session spicy as later Alzarri Joseph too was dismissed. English bowlers were roaring as they got back into the groove.

Bonner, then went into ultra defensive mode as it was the need of the hour. He was making sure that he doesn’t get enticed by flighted deliveries of the left arm spinner. Root used short ball rampage to irk him but Bonner didn’t lose his cool. Craig Overton and Mark Wood tried everything to see Bonner’s back, but they were unsuccessful.

After a testing half an hour, Bonner stitched a small partnership with the lethal pacer Kemar Roach. England’s Captain was a bit impatient as he didn’t want West Indies to get a lead. Bonner is on the verge of a hard fought century whereas he knows that the longer he stays at the crease, the higher are the chances of West Indies getting a disturbing lead for England.

The phase after post drinks break could be pivotal. The deficit is in 20s and West Indies still have 3 wickets in tank. West Indies management are wary of the fact that batting 4th won’t be at all easy, they should try to put the leg on the accelerator and score runs as the pitch has started to misbehave and deteriorate. On the other side would England knows that their top order is vulnerable to the new ball and they know how Roach, Holder and Joseph created a havoc in 1st innings. All in all, this Test Match has been topsy-turvy for both the teams, England’s players are already in the field for more than 100+ overs, they would be tired and as of now the shoulders are dropping off; if West Indies play out another session then they would be literally bossing the game.

SNAPSHOT: Nkrumah Bonner holds the Fort of West Indies after an early collapse on Day 3 Afternoon Session

Nkrumah Bonner and Joshua Da Silva stitch an Invaluable Partnership

The dismissal of Holder in Morning Session had given Britishers a chance to make a comeback in the Test Match. The onus was on Stokes to rip off the line up of Caribbean batters. Although, he didn’t got any ample support from the likes of Wood and Woakes. Both the batters present at the crease were calm and made sure that they don’t let the game slip off.

SNAPSHOT: Bonner and Joshua irking England team and snatching the Test Match from Joe Root’s England



Bonner was literally rock while doing defence. Joshua followed the trend and he at the times was a bit scratchy too. He survived a lbw decision too which he later got it overturned. The wicket keeper batter’s strokeplay was a treat to watch. He not only took the pressure of Bonner, but made sure that the scoreboard was ticking regularly.

The Captain Joe Root’s nemesis of Captaincy continue as he isn’t getting productive results neither from the Pacers nor from Jack Leach. Root knows that he is playing with fire, his captaincy is on a thin edge. He has been given a Second Life that too a short one of 3 Test Series. If he doesn’t make it count, then ECB will have to make tough calls, which they have already have started.

The Afternoon Session of Day 3 would decide the fate of the Test Match and eventually of the Test Series. Root needs to pull a rabbit out of the hat quickly, otherwise 2019 tour would be repeated. On the other side West Indies would hope that the two batters continue the good work and get a threatening lead of 100 runs. If Caribbean batters and tail enders would fret Joe Root and Co, then West Indies would be in the Driver’s Seat.