Windies show grit on Day 3 of 2nd Test vs India

CAPTAIN Kraigg Brathwaite and Alick Athanaze showed grit on day three of the second Test match, but because of rain and patient batting the West Indies were still left with an uphill task at stumps trailing India by more than 200 runs.

West Indies closed the day on 229/5 at the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair in response to India’s first innings total of 438.

Opener Brathwaite, starting the day on 37 not out, struck a determined 75 and newcomer Athanaze looked the part ending the day unbeaten on 37.

West Indies resumed the day on 86/1 with Brathwaite and debutant Kirk McKenzie at the crease.

McKenzie played positively, looking particularly strong on the off side with well-timed drives while Brathwaite on the other end was patient as the pair took West Indies past 100.

West Indies got to 117, before McKenzie was out for 32. The left-hander was caught by wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan attempting to cut a delivery from fast bowler Mukesh Kumar.

Immediately after McKenzie was dismissed, rain stopped play which forced the teams to take an early lunch.

After an interruption of one hour and 15 minutes play resumed at 12.10 pm.

Brathwaite, who was 49 not out when rain stopped play, got to his 50 with two runs on the leg side.

Brathwaite, not known for his ability to hit sixes, surprised many by pulling Kumar for a massive six over fine leg.

Jermaine Blackwood started his innings slowly but got his first boundary when he flicked off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for four down to deep mid-wicket which took West Indies to 150/2.

Brathwaite capitalised on loose deliveries, sweeping a low full toss by Ashwin for four.

In the same over, Ashwin got some spin of the surface and bowled Brathwaite between bat and pad for 75.

The Windies skipper spent almost five hours at the crease, hitting five fours and one six in his 235-ball innings.

Athanaze, playing in just his second Test match, joined Blackwood.

After taking a while to get off the mark, Athanaze struck two fours. The first one was a cut shot down to backward point and the second a sweep.

It was slow progress as even the normally free-scoring Blackwood was kept quiet.

Blackwood and Athanaze both survived reviews that were given not out. Replays showed that a delivery from left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja brushed Blackwood’s pad and the appeal for caught behind was turned down and Athanaze survived a review for leg before off Ashwin.

The pair took West Indies to the tea break on 174/3 with Athanaze 13 not out off 45 balls and Blackwood 16 off 89 balls.

After play resumed Blackwood struck a four through covers off Ashwin, but in the same over he got an edge and Ajinka Rahane took a sharp diving one-handed catch fielding at first slip.

Blackwood was removed for 20 off 92 deliveries.

Joshua Da Silva’s disappointing form of late continued as his middle stump was uprooted by Mohammed Siraj for ten.

The rain returned after the fall of Da Silva at 4 pm leading to a 50-minute delay.

Athanaze, like most left-handers, continued to look stylish at the crease as his shots, especially those on the offside, would have pleased even the India fans.

Jason Holder came to the middle to meet Athanaze and with the light fading tried to keep West Indies hopes bright.

Holder (11 not out) and Athanaze batted out the remaining overs.

Jadeja is the most successful bowler for India so far grabbing 2/37 in 25 overs.

SCOREBOARD

West Indies vs India

India 1st inns 438

West Indies 1st inns (86/1 overnight)

K Brathwaite b Ashwin*75

T Chanderpaul c Ashwin b Jadeja*33

K McKenzie c Kishan b Kumar*32

J Blackwood c Rahane b Jadeja*20

A Athanaze not out*37

J Da Silva b Siraj*10

J Holder not out*11

EXTRAS (B4, NB7)*11

Total for five wickets*229

Still to Bat: A Joseph, K Roach, J Warrican, S Gabriel

Fall of Wkts: 71; 117; 157; 178; 208

BOWLING: Siraj 20-6-48-1; Unadkat 16-3-44-0; Ashwin 33-10-61-1; Kumar 14-4-35-1; Jadeja 25-10-37-2