BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies head coach Ottis Gibson has backed Marlon Samuels and veteran Shiv Chanderpaul to pull the regional side around on the third day of the second Test today.
Only 25.3 overs were possible on Wednesday as rain wrecked the second day of the contest at Kensington Oval, with West Indies struggling at 98 for five.
Samuels was unbeaten on 21 and was partnered by Chanderpaul on 20, in a fighting stand of 41 for the sixth wicket.
“We are looking forward to the third day. The second day was badly rain-interrupted and that is history,” Gibson said Wednesday.
“The pair at the crease has done a good job for us so far and there is plenty ahead of them. We know what Chanderpaul can do and he has showed a lot of application in his innings so far.
“Marlon is now coming back into the team and he has looked good so far. He is really looking forward to this opportunity in this Test match and hopefully he will continue to show the fighting skills he has demonstrated.
“He came in at a crucial time and has played well so far. We expect him to continue. This is a crucial partnership as there is still a lot of cricket left in the match.”
The start of play on Wednesday was delayed by 45 minutes because of rain and West Indies then suffered a double blow when overnight batsmen Ramnaresh Sarwan (18) and Devendra Bishoo (13) were removed by Ishant Sharma in the space of three balls, to leave the Windies on 57 for four.
Samuels and Chanderpaul then battened down in a crucial stand to defy India’s bowlers until the rains returned after lunch, ruining play for the day.
