NORTH SOUND, Antigua– Stroke-maker Nkrumah Bonner described his second Test hundred as an “emotional” one after batting West Indies back into contention against England here Thursday.
After losing marquee all-rounder Jason Holder in the morning’s fourth over for 45 with the home side still behind by 105 runs, the 33-year-old Bonner stepped up to convert his overnight 34 into a superb 123.
The effort lifted West Indies to 373 for nine at the close of Thursday’s third day of the opening Test, a lead of 62 runs at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
“It was very emotional for sure. There were hard bumps all over my body [when I reached the hundred],” Bonner told media afterward.
“Getting some runs against England is always a good feeling, especially with the team under pressure. It’s a good feeling.”
The highlight of Bonner’s second Test hundred was his immense powers of concentration which saw him face 355 deliveries in the shade over 9-¼ hours and strike a dozen fours and one six.
Along the way, he strung together partnerships of 73 for the sixth wicket with wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva (32), 44 for the eighth wicket with Kemar Roach (15), and 46 for the ninth with Veerasammy Permaul (26 not out).
He was eventually out mere minutes before the close, caught down the leg-side of part-time off-spinner Dan Lawrence, ending a marathon knock in his 10th Test.
“Over the years, I’ve read a lot of books. I’ve practiced batting long on the machines,” he said.
“When I was at the HPC (High-Performance Centre), I batted for hours and hours and hours, so I know it’s something I have to do to score my runs.”
Bonner said West Indies’ effort on Thursday had left them with a “fighting chance” of winning the Test.
“It was perfect to bat out the day, obviously have them in the field and try to get their legs as heavy as possible,” the Jamaican said.
“We have [a 62-run] lead, so we would want to bat an hour tomorrow and try to put some pressure on the English batsmen.”
He added: “We have at least a fighting chance … the wicket is deteriorating, there’s some variable bounce out there, and once our bowlers come and bowl straight on that wicket, we have a fighting chance.
“It’s a good wicket, to be honest – not a lot of sideways movement of the wicket, but there’s enough there ….”
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