Ton-up Holder denies Eng, Windies hold out

James Anderson became England’s leading wicket-taker in Test history but celebration of the historic milestone could not be complemented by a team triumph as the West Indies hung on for a draw on the final day of the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Jason Holder played the innings of his young cricketing life to take the home side to safety with three wickets in hand at 350 for seven on Friday after they were set the improbable target of 438. His maiden Test hundred (103*), which spanned almost four hours during which he faced 149 deliveries and struck 15 fours, rescued the Caribbean team from what appeared to be a hopeless position when they slipped to 189 for six early in the afternoon session. 

It was at that point, after first innings centurion Jermaine Blackwood added to the litany of dismissals via irresponsible shots from the top-order, that Holder came to the crease. The pair put on 105 runs for the seventh wicket before Anderson broke the record and gave his team one last chance to push for victory.

Having drawn level with the record tally of 383 wickets by former all-rounder Sir Ian Botham when he dismissed Marlon Samuels in the morning, Anderson returned with the second new ball and finally separated Ramdin and Holder, inducing an indeterminate defensive prod from Ramdin to have the West Indies captain caught for 57 by his Alastair Cook at first slip.  Anderson greeted the historic moment with a combination of celebration and relief at claiming the coveted record in his 100th Test.