Phil Simmons hopes for rise in home support after 'playing at Trent Bridge' for first Test

 Phil Simmons, West Indies' lead trainer, says that he wasn't apprehensive as his side effectively batted out 70.1 overs to compel a draw on the last day's play in Antigua, yet kidded that the groups had been "playing in Trent Bridge throughout the previous few days" after the home allies had been dwarfed by England's voyaging support.

Talking after West Indies had arranged a last day wobble to close on 147 for 4, Simmons lauded man of the match Nkrumah Bonner, who scored a phenomenal 123 in the main innings and was instrumental in protecting the draw with an unbeaten on 38 from 138 balls second-time around.

"He began doing it for us against Bangladesh," Simmons said, reviewing Bonner's scores of 86 and 90 in his introduction series in February 2021. "Whenever he came and played Sri Lanka he did likewise [with a lady Test century]. So we've seen that with him and it's getting increasingly reliable, so that is splendid for us.

"I'm expecting somewhat more in the wicket [in Barbados] as it'll make for a superior Test match," Simmons added. "I used to be a hitter yet you can't allow players to have it simple constantly and it's hard for bowlers on wickets like these. You want an even surface and we should contend."

Regardless of the evident peacefulness of the last scoreline, West Indies persevered through an uncertain entry of play either side of the lunch break, when four wickets fell for eight runs in the space of 9.3 overs to leave them gracelessly put on 67 for 4. Bonner, be that as it may, tracked down unfaltering help in Jason Holder (37 not out), whose solid 80-run represent the fifth wicket directed the group to somewhere safe.

"I was more apprehensive when the survey went up for Jason's gotten at slip [on 32] so no, I was not exactly anxious," Simmons said. "The wicket has been level so when you get your head down it's challenging to get wickets on that, so I wasn't just apprehensive."

After England had added 132 additional runs in 25 overs toward the beginning of the day meeting, Root announced right away before lunch to set West Indies a prodding objective of 286 to win from 71 overs. Simmons kidded that he would have favored 250 to win in 80 overs, yet said he was satisfied that England settled on a proactive choice that kept the game alive.