Twitter Reactions: Nkrumah Bonner stands tall as West Indies draw first Test against Sri Lanka

There is definitely a reason why proper cricket fans still love Test cricket the most. Not only the spectators but most of the players too have said that Test cricket is the pinnacle for them. The West Indies vs Sri Lanka game was another one to remember. Though the match ended as a draw it had too many inner stories to be spoken about.

Some brilliant new ball bowling by the likes of Jason Holder and Kemar Roach followed by a brilliant comeback from the Lankan team in their second innings with the bat. The match had enough to keep the viewers stuck in their seats. The fifth day started off with all possibilities being open but it was slightly tilted in the favour of the Asian side.

West Indies had started the day at 34/1 and needed as many as 341 runs to win the game. Batting in the fourth inning is never easy and chasing such a huge target was always going to be very tough for the Caribbean side. From the approach they followed, it seemed very evident that they were playing for the draw.

Nkrumah Bonner’s brilliance helps his team draw the match

While the Lankan bowlers would have hoped to take a few early wickets, the West Indian batsmen made it close to impossible for them. Nkrumah Bonner was the star batsman as he played a knock that he would never forget. He scored an unbeaten 113 off 274 deliveries to successfully hold one end up for his team.

He was well supported by the other batsmen and was therefore involved in multiple partnerships throughout the innings. Kraigg Brathwaite played a good knock as he ended with 23 runs off 124 balls. Though it may seem less in terms of runs, the number of balls he played was crucial in determining the result of the match.

Kyle Mayers, who came out to bat post his captain’s dismissal, played a fine knock to compliment Nkrumah Bonner. Mayers finished with a score of 52 runs and was involved in a partnership of 105 runs. The hosts were at 236/4 at the end of 100 overs when both the captains decided to shake hands.

The Sri Lankan bowlers tried everything they could but a flat pitch combined with some good batting meant that they could get no success. Suranga Lakmal and Vishwa Fernando though secured a couple of wickets each after bowling more than 20 overs each. Bonner was awarded the player of the match for his match-saving knock in the final inning.

Here are the best tweets

A fantastic test match season for West Indies 🏏🏏.
They won a test in England post the Covid break, won a series in Bangladesh chasing in excess of 350
In the final innings and now forcing this wonderful draw at home against 🇱🇰. #testcricket 👏👏

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) March 26, 2021

So many people underestimate how significant an accomplishment it is by a young batting order to draw this test match so comfortably in the end. Well done to @windiescricket and @OfficialSLC .

— Ian bishop (@irbishi) March 25, 2021

Well played Bonner! 👏🏽

— Shai Hope (@shaidhope) March 25, 2021

He has toiled for 11 years on the first-class circuit,,,a test match debut at age 32. Nkrumah Bonner has his maiden test century in only his third test match. Very well played. pic.twitter.com/K1GbatEArX

— Ian bishop (@irbishi) March 25, 2021

Love to see our boys doing well, can’t stay away from @OfficialSLC this is what we all expecting, even on this time can’t stay away from this lovely game, boys gona do well and result will coming favor to us, #FingersCrossed# pic.twitter.com/zd9qUkfXRd

— Dhammika Prasad (@imDhammika) March 25, 2021

It takes a special kind of talent to score a Ton on Debut, that too when the pressure is on. Well done Pathum Nissanka. This is only the beginning champ. I hope he will be managed well

— Sanath Jayasuriya (@Sanath07) March 26, 2021

That moment when childhood dreams become reality!🙏🏾 What a knock from Bonner for a maiden Test ton!💯 #WIvSL #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/Ky7H4tLVnx

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) March 25, 2021

Nkrumah Bonner & Kyle Mayers are the first pair to have added 200+ and 100+ in their first 2 partnerships in the 4th innings of a Test.

— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) March 25, 2021

Players with an 80+ knock in each of their first 3 Tests:

Mohammad Azharuddin
Aiden Markram
NKRUMAH BONNER#WIvSL

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 26, 2021

Nkrumah Bonner is a true champion with an inspiring story. Made his T20 debut in 2011 and wasn’t successful.

Worked hard at his game, excelled at the first class level and 10 years later has his first test century.

3 50s and 1 hundred in his first 3 tests is a dream 🙌🏼 #WIvSL

— Nikhil Uttamchandani (@NikUttam) March 25, 2021

And there comes the first Test 100 for Nkrumah Bonner in the 4th innings while chasing 375 at the Vivian Richard Stadium Antigua.

Time to Raise the Bonner 🔝 #WIvSL pic.twitter.com/zIefAcowLl

— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) March 25, 2021