Dravid Strokes Century But West Indies Fight Back

Dravid Strokes Century But West Indies Fight Back

Rahul Dravid scored a patient century to put India in the driving seat in Jamaica

©REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui (INDIA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

India 246 & 252 (Dravid 112, Sammy 4-52) v
West Indies 173 & 131-3 (Barath 38)
First Test, Kingston, day three
Scorecard

The West Indies will resume day four of the first Test against India in Kingston, Jamaica, on 131 for three having been set 326 to win after another enthralling day's play.

India pushed into a big lead thanks to a majestic century from Rahul Dravid, who made 112 hard-earned runs before Darren Sammy and Devendra Bishoo kept the West Indies in the game with four wickets apiece.

However, no side has ever scored more than 212 to win a Test at Sabina Park which means the West Indies have their work cut out on what should, weather interruptions permitting, be the final day of the game.

India are dead set against the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) but two of their batsmen - Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli - were left to rue decisions that under the review system, might have been overturned as they made a poor start to the day.

Both men were caught behind - Kohli down the leg side off Fidel Edwards and Raina at slip via his and Carlton Baugh's pads off of Bishoo for 15 and 27 respectively although contact in both cases did not appear to be with the bat or gloves.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni made a quickfire 16 before chipping Bishoo to Edwards at point before Harbhajan Singh was trapped in front for five by Sammy.

And when Praveen Kumar played all round a straight delivery from the West Indian captain to be bowled, Dravid's century looked a long way off.

He had battled hard throughout the morning, when he resumed on 45 not out, never offering a chance and making Sammy pay for dropping him on six yesterday.

He eventually found support from Amit Mishra (28) and reached an impressive 32nd Test century, eventually facing 274 balls for his 112 and he was the last man out when he was caught by Ramnaresh Sarwan as Bishoo grabbed four for 65 while Sammy finished with four for 52.

The West Indies then came out and in the form of Adrian Barath, attacked from the off, the pint-sized opener hammering one Ishant Sharma over for 16 including two big sixes to put India on the back foot.

However, the assault couldn't last and he departed for 38 in just 36 balls when he was well caught by Raina at third slip as he drove at Praveen Kumar well outside the off stump.

If Raina's catch, well held at third slip above his head, was nothing in comparison to the one that Kohli took to dismiss Sarwan second ball. Driving at Sharma, Sarwan edged into the gully where Kohli flung himself to his left to take a flying catch with the batsman yet to score.

Sharma then produced the ball of the day to clean bowl Lendl Simmons (27) with a delivery that beat him with a touch of movement off the pitch and impressive pace.

The West Indies then showed their fighting qualities with Darren Bravo (30 not out) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (24) putting on an unbroken 51-run stand for the fourth wicket.

India were bowled out for 246 on day one but hit back to dismiss the West Indies for 173 and then increase their lead with Dravid on good form on day two.

© Cricket World 2011