First Test: Ashwin, Thakur, Jadeja among the wickets as India cut West Indies to 68/4 at lunch
ROSSO (Dominica), July 12 (IANS) Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja were among the wickets for India as the visitors pushed the West Indies back by reducing them to 68/4 in 28 overs at lunch on the first day of the first Test at Windsor Park Here on Wednesday.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, All Indies captain Craig Prathwaite and Taginaren Chanderpaul were strong against fast bowlers Mohamed Siraj and Jaidev Onadkat. Since the ball didn’t afford them much swing, Brathwaite and Chanderpaul managed to get through the first half hour without much disturbance.
But Ashwin’s early entry dramatically changed the course of the session. The ace off-spinner started by castling Chanderpaul with a sliding delivery coming from the wide crease on the 13th over, making him the first Indian pole bowler and fifth overall to dismiss a father-son pair in Test cricket.
Ashwin bowled 10 on the trot for just 25 and managed to get Brathwaite out for 20. The West Indies skipper couldn’t help himself from playing an ugly mound across the line, the leading edge being caught by cover.
Thakur struck out in his first over to end Raymond River’s agonizing stay at the crease for just two, as debutant Ishan Kishan jumped to his left and dived forward to complete a nice catch.
At lunchtime, Jadeja entered the wicket-taker post when Jermaine Blackwood looked to launch a fuller delivery straight over the bowler’s head, but missed the shot to the halfway point, who ran back to complete the catch, as India finished the session on top despite missing the toss.
For the West Indies, apart from the first 30 minutes, the tenacity of new lad and homegrown Alec Athanaz was a bright spot. The left-handed batsman showed the mood to stay in the crease for a long time, while bowling a sweet flamingo-style spin off Thakur and sweeping Jadeja quickly for a two-edged pick.
Brief scores: West Indies 68/4 in 28 overs (Craig Brathwaite 20; Ravichandran Ashwin 2/25) vs India
– Jans
is / ak
