GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – Fast bowler Miguel Cummins said he was relieved to finally claim his maiden Test wicket especially after enduring a “tough” debut Test in Kingston last week.
The 25-year-old seemed to be heading for another wicket-less outing in the second day of the third Test here yesterday when he produced a hostile burst in the second session as India declined from 339 for five to 353 all out – losing their last five wickets for just 14 runs.
Cummins finished with three for 54 while debutant 19-year-old speedster Alzarri Joseph picked up three for 69.
“The first Test for me – my debut game – was very tough because it was my first time playing so the nerves took in,” he told a media conference here.
“I just had to be more patient. I fought it … but I didn’t get any rewards so I came today, saw the guys getting wickets and I tried not to let [it get me flustered] by me trying to go looking for wickets when my job was to build pressure, and then later on in the innings just try to clean up the tail as fast as possible.”
He added: “We have our two [main] fast bowlers, me being the third. They had their bursts so it was for me to just come, hit my lengths as hard as possible and to be more consistent and build lots of pressure for whoever comes at the next end – even if it’s a spinner – so even they can get the wickets.”
India, resuming the day on 234 for five, flourished through centuries from Ravi Ashwin (118) and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha (104).
The pair put on a record 213 for the sixth wicket after they came together with India struggling at 126 for five, just before tea on Tuesday’s opening day of the game at the Darren Sammy National Stadium.
Cummins said West Indies had done well to take the initiative early on the first day but conceded Ashwin and Saha had been brilliant.
“We did a very good job getting their top order [cheaply] because their top order has very talented batsmen,” he pointed out.
“But we stuck to our plans from the first two games but you can’t take anything away from Ashwin and Saha, they batted very well so we had to keep fighting when they had that partnership.”
West Indies will resume day three on 107 for one, with vice-captain and opener Kraigg Brathwaite unbeaten on 53, and Cummins said it was crucial the hosts built on their initial progress.
“First thing first, we have to take each day one day at a time and build on our position right now,” he noted.
“I can’t give you one guarantee but hopefully we can stick to our plans and come out victorious.”
