India vs West Indies, 4th Test Day 3: Rain washes off day’s play.
Advertisement
For Pakistan, Misbah-ul-Haq’s side has become only the fifth team after Australia, England, India and South Africa to top the ICC Test rankings since these were introduced in 2003.
Pakistan scaled the Test summit for the first time after a wet outfield put paid to any action on day five, resulting in a drawn fourth meeting at Port of Spain.
While heavy rains and thunderstorms stopped play from post-lunch session on first day (Thursday), soft infield and muddy outfield made the slippery ground unfit to resume the match even after the scheduled tea-time.
India lead the series 2-0, but must win the fourth Test if they are to avoid relinquishing their world number one status to arch rivals Pakistan.
Former West Indies captain Viv Richards is among those critical of the apparent lack of modern equipment on hand to speed up the process of drying the outfield.
Kraigg Brathwaite (32 not out) and Marlon Samuels (4 not out) were unbeaten at the crease with Ishant Sharma (1/7) and R Ashwin (1/22) being the wicket-takers. In case of a draw between India and the West Indies, Pakistan will move to the number one spot in the ICC Test team rankings.
Ishant dismissed Leon Johnson (9), caught at short leg by Rohit Sharma, while Ashwin bowled Darren Bravo (10) with a attractive off-break delivery.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (0/13) and Mohammed Shami (0/14) were the other bowlers deployed.
The facilities in Port of Spain have been questionable, since the ground staff didn’t cover anything but just the square on Day 1. Considering the abysmal drainage at the ground and the limited resources available for the groundsmen, it could well be the end of the Test.
Advertisement
Unfortunately for the Indian team, which needs a victory to remain No. 1 in the Test rankings, there aren’t any promising news.
