Justin Greaves five wicket maiden record lifts West Indies against Pakistan
Justin Greaves became the first recorded Test bowler to take wickets in five straight maiden overs against Pakistan, Reuters reported.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
2 min read
Justin Greaves five wicket maiden history gave West Indies a foothold in the first Test against Pakistan in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago. Reuters reported that the West Indies all-rounder became the first bowler in the recorded era of Test cricket to take wickets in five consecutive maiden overs.
The 32-year-old Barbadian finished with 5-27 on the third day, his first five-wicket haul in his 17th Test. His spell helped bowl Pakistan out for 282 after West Indies had made 311 in their first innings.
What record did Justin Greaves set?
Greaves passed the previous mark of four straight wicket maidens, which Reuters said Stuart Broad set for England against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2016. A maiden over is an over in which the bowler concedes no runs; a wicket maiden also includes a wicket.
Pakistan had been well placed at 244-3 after Shan Masood reached a century. Greaves changed the innings by removing Masood for 109, then continued to take wickets while keeping Pakistan scoreless across successive overs.
Reuters reported that Greaves dismissed Aamer Jamal, Ali Usman and Mohammad Rizwan in consecutive maiden overs before lunch, leaving Pakistan 267-8. After the interval, he completed the record when Mohammad Abbas was caught behind.
Greaves said captain Roston Chase had told him to stay disciplined when he came into the attack. He said the ball moved off the surface and that he was rewarded for keeping to his task.
“Anytime I get the ball in hand the team looks to me to be that solid player for them [and] try to dig us out of situations,” Greaves said, according to Reuters.
He added that taking five wickets for the first time in Test cricket made him happy, while stressing that West Indies still had work left in the match.
Where does the Test stand?
Pakistan’s 282 left them 29 runs behind on first innings. Greaves’ burst turned an innings that had been under Pakistan’s control into one that gave West Indies a narrow lead.
Pakistan answered late on the third day by reducing West Indies to 126-7 in their second innings by stumps. West Indies still led by 155 runs going into the fourth day of the World Test Championship match, Reuters reported.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.