GROS ISET, Aug 12 (PTI) India removed both overnight batsmen but the West Indies continued to defy the visiting bowlers, reaching 194 for three at lunch on day four of the third cricket Test at the Darren Sammy Stadium, here today.
Marlon Samuels (39) and Jermaine Blackwood (20) added 59 runs for the undefeated fourth wicket in an extended morning session as rain stayed away today even as wet outfield prevented an early start.
The hosts now trail by 159 runs.
Starting at overnight score of 107 for 1, Brathwaite (64) and Bravo (29) took to the crease. The conditions were a bit like the first morning with the pitch feeling fresh.
Ravindra Jadeja (0/19) and Mohammed Shami (0/50) got things underway, with Ishant Sharma (1/40) soon taking over from the spinner.
The ploy was to attack Bravo with the short ball, even if only one fine leg fielder was provided to the bowlers, especially Ishant. But he crammed the batsman for space and he gave into his habitual urge, pulling straight to Jadeja in the 56th over.
The umpires checked for no ball and it seemed that Ishant had overstepped marginally but the third umpire ruled in the bowler’s favour.
It became a double blow for the West Indies, as R Ashwin (1*/51) removed Brathwaite at the other end three overs later, the batsman gloving down leg side and caught behind. It brought the proceedings to life, with only a small chance of result possible when play had started.
But Blackwood and Samuels put on another counter-attacking partnership to stall India’s progress. For once, the former was subdued and didn’t overtly attack the bowlers. There was a sharp chance in the 62nd over off Jadeja, when the ball lobbed up and Rohit Sharma diving backwards at forward short leg only managed to get a hand to it.
The fielder was later hit on the helmet grille, to go with a hit at the back of the helmet on day two, but he was safe and continued fielding, as the 150-mark came up in the 63rd over.
At the other end, Samuels took on both Jadeja and Ashwin, attacking them in a measure approach and using his feet well. He used the aerial route on occasion, hitting a few lusty blows including a straight six against the off-spinner and brought up the 50-partnership off 132 balls, even as India took the new ball as soon as it became available.
India lead the four-match series 1-0, after winning the first Test in Antigua by an innings and 92 runs. The second Test in Jamaica was drawn. (PTI)
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