On the opening day of the first test match between West Indies and India, the home team got off to a good start before the traveling team came up with a response that proved why they are ICC’s top test nation.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, West Indies were 30 runs without loss. After Tagenarine Chanderpaul was dismissed for 12, the home team continued to lose wickets at regular intervals but Dominican player Alick Athanaze making his debut in front of his home crowd did not disappoint his fans.
He batted at number 5 and played confidently on his debut, making a well-struck 47 of 99 deliveries before he was out caught.
During his stay at the crease, Athanaze hit the 4-run boundary six times and also hit a magnificent six.
Apart from Athanaze, none of the other West Indian players put up a good fight.
The team was eventually bowled out for 150 with the debutant top scoring with 47, captain Kraigg Braithwaite adding 20 and Rahkeem Cornwall 19 not out.
Veteran Indian spinner, took a total of five wickets in 24.3 overs, effectively engineering a West Indies collapse.
The other Indian bowler Ravindra Jadeja took three, while Shardul Thakur and Mohd Siraj clinched one wicket each.
When it was the Indian’s turn to bat, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma built and maintained a good momentum scoring 50 and 30 runs respectively.
By the end of the day’s play, India had scored 80-0 in 23 overs.
They now trail by 70 runs.
Day 2 begins on Thursday at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium at 10 am.
There was and appeal for a caught by India against the Westindies.The appeal went to the third umpire for review.Lochart Sebastien in his usual big mouth big head BS said during commentary on radio”there is no way that is out,de ball bump,de man not out”The man was given OUT by the third umpire
Sebo boy those comments are for spectators not commentators.
Athanase look by far, the most accomplished batsman on the West Indies team. The others seem all lost at sea, not knowing how to play simple bowling by the Indians. And I still don’t understand West Indies team selection. Why Moti who is by far the best spinner in the West Indies, not included in the Windies Test team? These selectors never cease to amaze me.
4-run boundary?
Doesn’t appear that the writer is that familiar with cricketing terminology.
Athanaze batted like a veteran player. He played one bad shot in his inning of 47 runs and paid the price.
The other WI batters did not get out to outstanding bowling but rather to injudicious selection of shots. As usual, they played as if they were giving their opponents catching practice. Nine of the ten batsmen got out by catches.
The Caribbean team is undisciplined. That’s their fundamental weakness. They need to occupy the wicket for much longer and the runs will come.
Another miserable and disappointing display of batting from the West Indies as customary. Only rain can save them from defeat!