Shai Hope, the right-hand opening batsman who made an unbeaten 118 for a WICB President’s XI in a two-day warm-up game against the visiting Indians last month, has been drafted into the West Indies squad announced on Thursday (August 4) for the third Test beginning in Gros Islet on August 9.
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Having started the second innings with a deficit of 304, the Windies appeared to be heading for another heavy loss as they collapsed to 48 for four on a rain-hit fourth day, but they looked like a different team on the final day.
The weather was bad, which might have anxious India but West Indies’ abysmal batting sent them to lunch with beaming smiles.
Earlier, West Indies reached 215/5 in their second innings at lunch. “He’s off to a tremendous start in his Test career – with a terrific five-wicket haul and then a significant century like this which saved the match”, said Sir Viv.
Resuming at 48 for four, Blackwood and Chase defied the Indian bowlers with some resolute batting.
It was the day of West Indian batsmen as for the first time in the series Indian bowlers looked under pressure and the West Indian batsmen dominated the day.
Earlier on Tuesday, only a little less than 16 overs could be bowled as incessant rains forced an early close of play with the visitors on the driver’s seat needing just six wickets to win the second Test. India’s response to West Indies’ 196 all out was 500 for nine.
In contrast, premier spinner Devendra Bishoo claimed one wicket for 107 off 35 overs and will be under pressure to retain his place in the team for the remainder of the four-match series.
However, Dowrich was given out LBW after the break by umpire Ian Gould off Amit Mishra (2-85), despite the fact that he had an inside-edge.
Blackwood had been explosive, but Chase had been compact at the other end, providing that platform and getting his eye in. The former bowled a bit wider outside of the off-stump in a bid to keep things tight, while Yadav used the short-ball approach against him.
Chase was accompanied by a steady and a brilliant innings from local boy Jermaine Blackwood who scored 63 runs in 54 deliveries and Shane Dowrich.
RAIN PLAYED ITS ROLE Indian coach Anil Kumble praised rookie Chase’s match-saving century but also lamented that losing more than 100 overs of bowling time also enabled the hosts to play out a draw.
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Marlon Samuels fell moments later for a duck, before Darren Bravo (20) continued his dismal run of form and was dismissed off the final ball before lunch. In this interim, West Indies got a couple of quick wickets, as Roston Chase (5-121) removed Mishra, caught at short leg, before sending back Mohammed Shami (0) first ball.
