Gros Islet: 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 on Friday.
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.
SCOREBOARD (lunch)
India (1st innings): 353
West Indies (1st innings): K. Brathwaite c Saha b Ashwin 64, L. Johnson run out (Rahul) 23, D. Bravo c Jadeja b I Sharma 29, M. Samuels (batting) 39, J. lackwood (batting) 20. Extras (b 13, lb 2, w 2, nb 2) 19. Total (for three wickets in 83 overs) 194.
FoW: 1-59, 2-129, 3-135.
Bowling: Kumar 13-4-19-0, Shami 15-3-50-0, Ashwin 24-6-51-1, Sharma 13-2-40-1, Jadeja 18-8-19-0.
