Wed, 06 Jul 2011 - India vs West Indies, India Tour of West Indies 2011,3rdTest Match- Bulletin

India win series after hard-fought draw

When the play started one last time at Windsor Park, everything hinged on Chanderpaul for only he could prolong the West Indian innings and give them a chance of at least salvaging of a draw. And, he did that in some style stroking his 23 rd test century as Fidel Edwards also hung around in a defiant partnership that ate up 37 overs stretching the lead to 179, which in the end was too steep a climb for India. Though, India made an honest effort to pull off the chase, the discipline of the Windies bowlers forced Dhoni to settle for a draw and take away the three match series 1-0, the win coming at Jamaica. The visitors were 94 for three when the consensus for a draw was reached.

Rain though stayed away for the last three days of the first ever test match played here, the considerable amount of time that was lost on the first two days made chances of a result bleak. Nevertheless, it was a well contested game of test cricket. Carlton Baugh’s efforts both in front as well as behind the wicket kept Windies alive by restricting the first innings lead for India at a minimum. Shivnarine Chanderpaul who became the most capped player for West Indies in this match scored a math-saving century, not to forget debutant Kirk Edwards’ ton yesterday. For India, it was a good outing batting wise, Dhoni fifty was vital before the important England tour.

In India’s second innings, the target of 180 was on the radar for some time but once the asking rate neared 6, a draw looked the most likely result. They had the worst possible start to the chase, Edwards got the ball to snake into Mukund’s pads and Asad Rauf reckoned that the ball was hitting the stumps. Dravid came in and did well to miss couple of Jaffas from the same bowler. Murali Vijay did play his shots even when batting against the brand new cherry seemed difficult. The two withered the initial burst before increasing the scoring tempo. Vijay particularly looked in good touch, among the runs after many fruitless innings. The two added 73 runs in about 24 overs, setting the stage for a late charge that never came. Suresh Raina promoted in place of Laxman failed to up the ante and when he too was pouched by Rampaul in his follow-through, the chase was all but over.

That however looked a distant play when the day’s action started. Darren Sammy set the tone on the bright morning, going after Ishant Sharma straightaway. The very first ball was ferociously cut for a boundary; he went up and over point on the next one to give the overnight total of 224 for six a flip. Chanderpaul started the day still needing 27 for a sixth century against India. He also was in run-scoring mode early on, getting off strike regularly. The two foiled the Indian attack for 56 balls before Harbhajan’s bounce accounted for Sammy, the total reading 255, though the decision was doubtful. One run later, the eighth wicket fell- Ravi Rampaul had only himself to blame, lazing running and a direct hit led many to think about an early end.

Fidel Edwards has bowled beautifully in the match, now his team needed his batting to do the job. Though, he was troubled by some short pitched stuff early- Munaf rattled him with one that crashed into the helmet and required medical attention. The blow hardened his resolve as he dug in to defy the Indian bowlers for 57 balls till lunch scoring 16.

On the other end, it was a usual site, bowlers ran in hard throwing everything at Chanderpaul only to realize that they better concentrate on his partner as he looked as solid as the ‘Rock of Gibraltar.’ He masterfully held up one end even when Harbhajan was getting considerable bite out of the powdery last day track. Gradually, he crossed 80’s and once he went into the nineties the crowd was behind him cheering every run he scored. Like Kirk Edwards, he too showed nerves as he neared the ton. Two edges past Dravid at first slip took him to 99, the short-leg fielder ran him out on the next ball and when he finally reached there it was all jubilation.

With West Indies recognizing that a draw is the most realistic result they would get, they played for the draw after Chanderpaul crossed three figures. In nearly half an hour, he scored only one scoring shot. The Indian strategy of bowling well outside the off stump did have a hand in the attritional brand of cricket that was on display.

The Chanderpaul, Edwards defiance show continued for about an hour after lunch. The two made the Indian bowlers toil, batting through over after over to heap the agony on the visitors as the lead was inching towards the safe zone. West Indies crossed 300 for the first time in five tests this season courtesy a single to mid-off by Chanders.

With the bowlers spending more time in the middle than they would have hoped for, their sting was decreasing alarmingly. On the contrary, the batsmen were gaining confidence and momentum. Edwards after the shaky start to his innings had found his feet, proper shots like backfoot punches, drives etc started to flow from his blade. He even passed his highest score in tests thus far in the process.

Just when India’s chances of a win were about to evaporate, Suresh Raina provided the much needed break through. Edwards buoyed by his long stay at the crease went for an ambitious heave only to find the fielder at long-off. His 30 runs came from 106 balls, the partnership with Chanderpaul worth 65 and more importantly it used up 37 overs.

Chanderpaul after all the hard work to keep India at bay made an unfathomable decision of letting last man Bishoo face a full Raina over, the youngster also did not help matters either- he went for a big drive on the off-side only to edge it to Dravid at first slip who took a good catch. The innings ended at 322, India were to chase a target of 180 in about 47 overs, Chanderpaul’s unbeaten 116 put the victory beyond their reach.

Day 4: Bulletin on next Page