Jason Holder hails first Test win over England: "It's one of the best victories we've had"

The West Indies skipper says the performance from the team on the fourth evening set up the victory by four wickets at The Ageas Bowl

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West Indies captain Jason Holder has labelled the four-wicket win over England at The Ageas Bowl one of the best secured by the current squad.

Faced with 200 to chase on day five, the Windies recovered from 27 for 3 to prevail, with Jermaine Blackwood scoring a memorable 95.

The platform for the success was laid the previous evening when the tourists prevented England's lead growing by taking five wickets for just 30 - an effort which Holder believes capped his best day in Test cricket.

"It's right up there with one of the best victories we've had as a group," he told Sky Sports. "Yesterday was one of the best days I've had in Test cricket. 

"It was full of hard toil and every time I asked the boys to come up and bowl a spell they gave a massive effort. Yesterday was a hard-fought day of Test cricket and we got our rewards in the end.

The Windies squad came into the Test having spent 30 days in England - largely in quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic - with their only practice coming in two intra-squad matches at Emirates Old Trafford.

West Indies stun England to win first Test

It was a pulsating match that went deep into the final session and Holder admits he didn't know what to expect from either side.

"I don't think either of the teams actually knew," he added. "We've been just sat at home doing nothing, waiting our this COVID period I'm just glad we got the opportunity to play. 

"We had enough time to prepare but mentally you're never sure. It was good to see we've got everyone on the park still. John took a blow but hopefully, he's got a few days to get over it.

"We knew if we got wickets yesterday evening we could push for the win today. 

"Had England batted it out yesterday they would have been in a much more commanding position, but credit to our bowlers again. Every single time I asked them to give an effort they threw everything on a very flat pitch.

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