BRIDGETOWN — A century partnership between Darren Bravo and Jermaine Blackwood helped West Indies to win the third and final Test against England at Barbados' Kensington Oval by five wickets Sunday to draw the series 1-1. Set a target of 192 to win on the third day, after bowling England out for 123, the home side knocked off the total thanks mainly to a 108-run fifth wicket partnership between Bravo (82) and Blackwood (47 not out). It was a disciplined and confident performance from a West Indies team that looks to have improved in several areas already in its first series under new coach Phil Simmons. For England, it was a disappointing end to a series which looked to be heading its way after its win in the second Test in Grenada. Having gained a 68-run lead from the first innings, England was let down by the second innings batting where only three players made double figures, Jos Buttler top scoring with an unbeaten 35. Even then, 192 was by no means a simple task on a surface which offered rewards to both seam and spin. West Indies opening pair of Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope survived the opening spell from James Anderson, but then Hope was trapped lbw by Chris Jordan for nine. Brathwaite (25) went shortly afterwards, caught by Jordan off Moeen Ali's spin to leave the hosts at 35 for two. Marlon Samuels and Bravo looked well settled but shortly before tea, Stuart Broad bowled Samuels for 20 to raise England's hopes. Shivnarine Chanderpaul was bowled for a duck by Anderson's first ball after tea as England sensed a possible West Indies middle order collapse. But Bravo and Blackwood took charge with a focused partnership that only ended when victory was within reach and Bravo drove Ben Stokes to Broad at mid-off. Earlier, resuming on 39 for five, England was undone by a combination of Veerasammy Permaul's slow left-arm spin and Jason Holder's seam. Local favorite Holder trapped Jordan lbw and then yorked Broad with the next delivery. Buttler and Anderson (2) put on a 25-run partnership before Jerome Taylor returned to the attack and had Anderson removed lbw after review. — Reuters
