KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC –West Indies are in danger of crashing to an ignominious innings defeat at the hands of India in the rain affected second Test match at Sabina Park.
The homeside are in trouble on 48 for the loss of four wickets in their second innings after about two hours of play were possible on the fourth day yesterday.
Play was called-off at 3.50 PM after a frustrating day in which only 15.5 overs were bowled due to persistent rain and with West Indies still needing to wipe out a massive deficit.
West Indies now trail India by 256 runs with six wickets remaining and a day to spare after India, who resumed on 358 for five, declared their innings on 500 for nine before the rescheduled tea break on Monday.
The weather forecast is better for play today after yesterday’s threat posed by tropical storm Earl which dumped sharp showers at sporadic periods, causing constant interruptions.
Despite the frustration with the rain, India would be pleased with their work in the field resulting in West Indies losing their four frontline batsmen in less than 16 overs which were possible.
An early start scheduled for 9.30 was significantly delayed as a result of a wet outfield caused by overnight rain.
In fact the players, scampered back into the dressing room, chased by a sharp shower, three overs after they finally took to the field at 10.45.
Part of the session played occurred in a light drizzle which intensified sufficiently to stop play briefly.
Mohammed Shami used the conditions to his advantage to finish the day with two wickets for 25 runs.
Opener Rajendra Chandrika was dismissed cheaply in the third over of the morning while fellow opener Kraigg Brathwaite scored 23 before he was caught from a feeble top edge.
Shami dismissed Marlon Samuels by hitting his off stump for a five ball duck and in the next over removed Darren Bravo for 20 with a short ball.
Bravo batted tentatively against the short balls from Shami and took his eyes off the delivery which caused his demise, edging a catch to Lokesh Rahul at third slip.
While West Indies will be hoping for more rain on today’s final day to help them avert a second innings loss, the India will be confident of wrapping up a victory in one session.
Scoreboard
West Indies 2nd innings
KC Brathwaite c Rahul b Mishra 23
R Chandrika b Sharma 1
DM Bravo c Rahul b Mohammed Shami 20
MN Samuels b Mohammed Shami 0
J Blackwood not out 3
Extras (nb 1) 1
Total (4 wickets; 15.5 overs) 48
To batRL Chase, SO Dowrich†, JO Holder*, ML Cummins, D Bishoo, ST Gabriel
Fall of wickets 1-5 (Chandrika, 2.3 ov), 2-41 (Brathwaite, 12.6 ov), 3-41 (Samuels, 13.5 ov), 4-48 (Bravo, 15.5 ov)
Bowling: Sharma 6-0-19-1 (1nb), Shami 7.5-2-25-2, Mishra 2-1-4-1.
Position: West Indies trail by 256 runs
Toss: West Indies.
Umpires: Aleem Dar, I Gould; TV – N Duguid.
