BRIDGETOWN, (Reuters) – The second test between West Indies and India ended in a draw today after the fickle weather that had interrupted the match for days finally halted play.
The match was evenly poised and heading towards an unexpected and thrilling finish when play was abandoned in the last session on the fifth and final day because of bad light.
Set 281 to win after India made a bold declaration at the start of the day, West Indies were 202 for seven when the teams shook hands and stumps were drawn, 79 runs from what would have been a remarkable victory but also just three wickets from losing the series.
India, 1-0 up in the three-match series after winning the opening test in Jamaica, declared their second innings closed at 269-6 more than an hour before lunch, setting West Indies a formidable, but not impossible, target in two-and-a-half sessions.
The tourists looked the most likely winners when they picked up three early wickets, forcing West Indies to revert to survival mode, before Darren Bravo and Carlton Baugh took matters into their own hands and threatened to change the momentum of the match.
Bravo made 73 in more than four-and-a-half hours at the crease before he fell when the light was fading fast, leaving Baugh unbeaten on 46.
Ishant Sharma, India’s impressive fast bowler, took 4-53 to finish with 10 wickets for the match.
The third and final test starts in Dominica next week.
