MIAMI, (Reuters) – Kirk Edwards hit a century on his test debut as West Indies reached 224 for six on the fourth day of the third and final test against India in Dominica today.
West Indies have a lead of just 81 runs with four second-innings wickets remaining after three wickets near the close put the tourists back in command.
India lead the three test series 1-0 and while West Indies theoretically still have a chance of levelling the series, the tourists will surely fancy their own chances of ending on a high with a second test victory.
The only glimmer of hope for West Indies is that Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who in this test broke the record for most test appearances for the Caribbean team, is still at the crease having made an ultra-patient 73 from 201 balls.
Skipper Darren Sammy will resume with Chanderpaul on Sunday and with only the tail to come he will need to produce a real captain’s innings if they are to set India a challenging target.
It could have been a different situation had Indian not picked up those three wickets late in the final session.
Barbadian Edwards finally went caught behind off Harbhajan Singh, the 26-year-old having made 110 from 195 balls and become the 13th West Indian to score a century on his debut.
Marlon Samuels lasted just three balls – trapped lbw by Harbhajan and then wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh was a victim of the new ball – pushing a simple catch to Abhinav Mukund off Praveen Kumar.
It was a soft end to what had been a solid and gritty recovery from West Indies after India had made early inroads before lunch.
Kieran Powell edged Ishant Sharma to Suresh Raina at third slip and then fellow opener Adrian Barath also played at a ball he could have left alone — diverting a Kumar delivery to Virat Kohli at fourth slip.
After the interval, Harbhajan snapped up Darren Bravo for 14, caught by Kumar at mid-off as he tried to drive.
It was however a good day for Barbadians named Edwards – pace bowler Fidel ended with a five-wicket haul after rattling through the Indian tail early in the morning session to end the tourists’ first innings at 347 all out.
