Photo Credit: Cricket West Indies
West Indies vice captain Jermaine Blackwood is set to play his 50th Test match on Thursday when the visitors face Australia in the second Test match at the Adelaide Oval. The diminutive right-hander made his debut against New Zealand in Trinidad back in 2014 when he was presented with his first Test cap by Brian Lara.
On Thursday he will mark the milestone and is excited about the opportunity to play in a pink ball Test match under the lights at the historic venue. “This is my second Test tour of Australia and my first time at this ground here in Adelaide and I’m truly excited to be playing my 50th Test match in such a wonderful arena.”
He added:
“I made a debut a few years back and as I reflect from then to now I would say I have improved a lot over the past few years. I got dropped a few years ago and then came back into the team in 2020 and since I came back you can see that growth. “It has been a good journey and I have an understanding of what is required I have embraced it so far. I would say I am more circumspection to my batting in this latter part of your career … a bit more measured at crease … for sure. Every time I bat over 150 balls, I score over 50 runs so just stay myself that I’m going to stay out there and bat longer.”
Two of Blackwood’s Test centuries have been back-to-the-wall knocks which earned the team memorable draws. In 2015 he made 112 not out in Antigua as West Indies earned a fighting draw in Antigua and earlier this year made 102 in Barbados as the home side went on to win the Richards/Botham trophy.
This will be his third pink ball Test away from home – the others were 2016 against Pakistan in Dubai and 2019 against England at Edgbaston.
“For sure, I think we can get a few more day-night games in the few years coming up. We play a bit as well – so we’re no strangers to the pink ball, we play it in our first-class (competition) back home. A lot of fans come out and watch at night with your family and enjoy a beautiful game of cricket. Going forward I would like to see some more games.”
The second Test will be a pink ball day/night contest under lights. Play starts on Thursday at 2:30pm (12 midnight Eastern Caribbean/11pm Wednesday Jamaica).
