Kingston, (PTI) The weather stands in the way of India
going 2-0 up in the series after rain forced an early end to play
on day four with the West Indies in deep trouble at 48/4 in their
second innings and 256 runs behind the visitors.
Rain played hide and seek at Sabina Park as the hosts lost four
wickets by lunch with only 15.5 overs being bowled. While the sky
was clear during the break, rain returned just minutes before the
scheduled resumption of play. No play was possible thereafter, with
the day called off at 3.40 pm local time.
Tropical storm Earl hasn’t hit Jamaica with full fury, but
persistent showers made sure that a lot of playing time was lost
in the morning session, with forecast not too good for the remainder
of the day either. The hosts will try to save the match on day five,
with play scheduled to begin at 9.30 am local time and 98 overs to
be bowled in the day.
Considering the poor battting effort by the West Indies batsmen
so far, it looks improbable they would make India bat again in the game.
Overnight showers made sure that 75 minutes were lost before
play could resume and the West Indies' second innings could begin.
Only three overs were possible before showers returned though, and
forced another short break in play. In this interim, play did get
under way and Ishant Sharma (1-19) bowled Rajendra Chandrika (1),
the opener shouldering arms to an incoming short delivery that was
deflected onto his stumps off his arm.
After another rain break then, Darren Bravo (20) joined Kraigg
Brathwaite (23), and the duo never looked comfortable at the crease,
particularly against Mohammed Shami (2-25) who used the conditions
well. He used the short ball to good effect against Bravo, hitting
him on the forearm and the batsman was never confident thereafter.
Somehow the two managed to stay at the wicket, as rain threatened
to break play again.
Amit Mishra (1-4) was introduced into the attack thereafter,
and after seeing through Ishant’s spell, Brathwaite played a needless
stroke to get out. He pulled a short delivery off the legspinner
and Lokesh Rahul ran back from midwicket to complete the catch in
the 13th over. An over later, Marlon Samuels (0) was bowled for a
five-ball duck, as he left an incoming delivery from Shami.
