MYSORE, Sept 27: Opener Kieran Powell’s half century along with spinners Veerasammy Permaul and Nikita Miller’s magical spell, tightened the West Indies A grip over India A on the third day of the first unofficial Test at Gangothri Glades Cricket Grounds here today.
At stumps, the visitors were 130 for three in reply to the hosts’ first innings total of 245 all out, a huge lead of 314 runs. Captain Kirk Edwards and Chadwick Walton were unbeaten on nine and zero respectively at the draw of stumps.
Riding high on extraordinary bowling performance by their spin duo, West Indies openers began their second innings with supreme confidence. Both Kraigg Brathwaite and Powell put on 112 runs partnership for the first wicket.
While Brathwaite was cautious in his approach, Powell, who has been out of form in the series so far, came out with a positive frame of mind.
Unlike in his earlier knocks, Powell adopted an aggressive approach and belted wayward Indian attack by scoring 68 in 88 balls with nine boundaries and a six, before he was caught and bowled by spinner Rajat Paliwal.
On the same score of 112, first innings hero Parvez Rasool packed off Brathwaite for 34 off 88 balls with five boundaries to his name.
Rasool celebrated his seventh wicket of the match when he disturbed Narsing Deonarine’s furniture after he had made nine off 12 balls.
Earlier in the day, Indian batsmen did not have any answer to the magical spell of Miller and Permaul, who wreaked havoc despite overnight batsmen – Manpreet Juneja and Harshad Khadiwale – gave some resistance.
Permaul grabbed five wickets for 85 while Miller claimed four for 61 as they saw the later Indian batsmen fall like a pack of cards.
Juneja was the top-scorer with 84 off 151 balls. His innings was laced with eleven boundaries. Resuming their overnight first innings score of 124 for three, India added forty more runs before Permaul trapped Juneja leg before.
Soon India lost two more wickets in the form of Paliwal (1) and Khadiwale (27), leaving India at 186 for six and a recovery from this stage looked a far cry.
Permaul, unlike the Indian bowlers, rattled the Indian tailenders – Mohammad Shami, Ishwar Pandey and Ashoke Dinda – by packing them off to the hut in quick succession.
It would be interesting to know whether Edwards would look to push for a win as he had not declared the West Indies innings at close of play. (PTI)
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