New Delhi, Oct 13 (NationPress) John Campbell made a remarkable entry into the record books with his maiden Test century on day four at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday. He celebrated this milestone with a stunning six off Ravindra Jadeja, a moment that was long awaited.

Campbell's score of 115, alongside Shai Hope's 103, propelled the West Indies to a total of 390 in their second innings, providing the team with a memorable performance in the second and final Test. This match is now heading into day five, a scenario that had not been anticipated by many cricket enthusiasts.

“I think it's a significant positive for us, especially after a disappointing first innings score. We came out for the second innings and batted for over 100 overs, which is a substantial achievement for the team,” Campbell shared with reporters during the post-match press conference.

Playing in his 25th Test, Campbell became the first West Indies opener to score a Test century in India since Wavell Hinds in 2002. His partnership with Hope, totaling 177, marked the first 150-plus third-wicket stand for the West Indies in India since 2011. Campbell emphasized that their strategy was to build a lengthy innings after finding themselves at 35/2.

He credited the support from the coaching staff led by Daren Sammy for their encouragement. “Shai and I aimed to bat for as long as we could; that was our game plan. Once we got going, we were determined to extend our innings. Our coaches instill confidence in us, making it easier to overcome the challenging start,” he explained.

Reflecting on his dismissal, Campbell acknowledged his lbw decision against Jadeja while attempting a reverse sweep was a miscalculation. “I thought the shot was feasible at that moment, but it turned out to be a misjudgment on my part.”

He expressed optimism regarding the team’s second innings performance as a step forward for them as a red-ball unit. “We didn't have the opportunity for a warm-up match due to time constraints. As international players, we must adapt quickly to any conditions we face. Batting for over 100 overs against quality bowlers on a challenging day four pitch is a positive sign,” Campbell stated.

On the tactical aspect, Campbell said there wasn't a specific strategy to attack Kuldeep with numerous sweeps, which resulted in him remaining wicketless in the final session of day three. “It wasn't a predetermined plan; it was just that when he came on, the field was up. We capitalized on that by taking a few balls over the top, and once the fielders were pushed back, we focused on taking singles.”

Campbell and Hope have a history of solid partnerships; notably, in May 2019, they set a record with 365 runs for the first wicket against Ireland, the second-highest stand in the format’s history. After a long wait, they found their rhythm again on a sunny day in New Delhi, marking the first time in 14 years that two West Indies batsmen scored centuries in the same Test innings against India.

Campbell commended Hope’s temperament and their effective communication throughout the partnership. “His international experience is invaluable; he maintains a cool demeanor, which is always welcomed. We were constantly discussing our strategies, sharing insights that helped us succeed during the partnership.”

As India requires 58 runs to clinch victory on day five, Campbell concluded by mentioning that the pitch's unpredictable bounce could lead to unexpected outcomes. “As you might have noticed in the latter part of the day, the wicket was a bit inconsistent, so a few early wickets in the morning could change the game.”