ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Left-hander Darren Bravo’s form remained a worry after he failed against India here yesterday, as West Indies A suffered a batting collapse on the penultimate day of their three-day match at Coolidge Cricket Ground.
In desperate need of confidence ahead of next week’s start of the opening Test against India, Bravo lasted 45 minutes and 21 balls for his 11 before edging a drive at seamer Umesh Yadav to second slip.
The 30-year-old has been named in the Test squad but is in the middle of a wretched run of form. He scraped 36 runs from five innings in the Ireland Tri-Nations Series back in May before scoring 19 and 0 in his only two innings at the ICC World Cup.
In his first Test series in 28 months following a public falling out with Cricket West Indies, Bravo managed only 59 runs from five innings against England earlier this year.
While Bravo failed, opener Kavem Hodge stepped up to top-score with 51 as West Indies A, responding to India’s 297 for six declared overnight, were dismissed for 181 in their first innings.
Captain Jahmar Hamilton struck 33 while veteran left-hander Jonathan Carter chipped in with 26, but the remainder of the Windies A line up struggled.
The hosts failed to muster any significant partnerships and the best was a 26-run stand for the fourth wicket between Hodge and Jason Mohammed (6).
All told, Hodge faced 100 balls in 141 minutes, hitting eight fours before he was fifth out with the score on 94, lbw to seamer Ishant Sharma in the fifth over after lunch, playing around a full length delivery.
Hamilton got a start, striking four fours in a 72-ball knock before he was last out while Carter also got in, lashing two fours and a six in a 35-ball innings before falling to a catch at silly point off left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
Umesh Yadav (3-19), fellow fast bowler Ishant (3-21) and left-arm spinner Kuldeep (3-35) all picked up three wickets each.
Batting a second time, India got an unbeaten 48 from Hanuma Vihari as they reached 84 for one at the close.