BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has heaped praise on his teammates and captain Jason Holder, following West Indies’ demolition of Pakistan in the second Test here Thursday.
The spearhead of the Windies attack grabbed five for 11 in a brilliant spell of pace bowling on a wearing track as Pakistan were dismissed for 81 in pursuit of 188 for victory at Kensington Oval, giving the hosts a 106-run win.
Gabriel, who finished with a nine-wicket match haul to earn Man-of-the-Match honours, said the success had been as a result of a collective team effort.
“I think it was a good performance, a good team effort,” the Trinidadian told reporters.
“The way Roston (Chase) played in the first innings and the way the bowlers bowled – (Devendra) Bishoo picking up some key wickets and the rest of bowlers.
“In the second innings Shai (Hope) put up his hand and batted although he was struggling [previously] but we always know as a team once we got a good lead on a fifth day pitch, things would happen for us.”
Gabriel was well supported by seamer Holder who claimed three wickets in each innings, and also gathered a fluent half-century in the first innings.
However, the 29-year-old Gabriel also pointed to Holder’s captaincy as key in the success.
“Jason is a good captain. He’s learning and improving a lot,” he stressed.
“One good thing about him is that he’s willing to take advice and try new things and that’s a good thing for the team and for West Indies cricket.”
Following a slow start to his international career, Gabriel has picked up intensity in recent months and has now emerged as the leader of the West Indies attack.
He has taken 62 wickets form 25 Tests, and his form in the longer format has subsequently led to his debut One-Day International where he has also reaped success.
Gabriel said Trinidad and Tobago coach Kelvin Williams, along with the current West Indies coaching staff had played key roles in bringing him to this point, and he was now relishing the role as leader of the attack.
“Since coming through from Under-19s, I’ve been working with Kelvin so I must give thanks to him and thanks to the Almighty Father, thanks to Ronald Rogers (trainer) and thanks to Roddy Estwick (Windies bowling coach) for the advice and the help for getting me here and I we can continue to work together as one moving forward,” he said.
Gabriel added: “It’s a lot of hard work but end of the day, I still have a job to go out there and do and I am enjoying the challenge, and the guys have been backing me up pretty well so it’s good news for West Indies cricket.”
Despite his success at Kensington Oval over the last five days, Gabriel said the surface at the historic venue was less than ideal.
“Knowing Barbados and coming to Barbados you hope to get a wicket with some pace and some bounce so we can utilize our fast bowlers,” he lamented.
“The wicket wasn’t that great of a wicket so it was a bit disappointing so hopefully next time that will be corrected.”
