Cricket: 3rd Test, it’s a Windies day in Mumbai

Century stands allow tourists to amass 267 for two on day one.

MUMBAI: In-form Kirk Edwards and Darren Bravo capped an impressive West Indies batting performance with unbeaten half-centuries on the opening day of the third and final Test against India.

Edwards (65*) and Bravo (57*) put on 117 for the unbroken third-wicket stand as the West Indies reached 267 for two at stumps at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Earlier, the tourists suffered a setback when key batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul was ruled out of the Test due to a calf injury. But the West Indies made the most of winning the toss on a batting track, with teenager Kraigg Brathwaite (68) and Adrian Barath (62) adding 137 runs for the opening wicket.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin removed the openers in four overs in the afternoon session, but there was no respite for India. Edwards extended his impressive run in Test cricket, having made two hundreds and three half-centuries in six matches.

Meanwhile, Bravo hit seven fours in his seventh Test half-century.

West Indies made two changes from the side that played in the last Test, bringing in batsman Kieran Powell and paceman Ravi Rampaul in place of Chanderpaul and Kemar Roach.

‘It’s the best pitch on this tour’

West Indies opener Brathwaite acknowledged that the pitch was a batsman’s paradise.

“We lost two wickets but we have two batsmen who are well set and we would like to dominate tomorrow,” said Brathwaite. “It is the best pitch we have played on this tour.”

India debutant paceman Varun Aaron also anticipated a struggle for the bowlers.

“It was a good pitch and I feel there will be a lot of runs scored in the next four days,” said Aaron. “One has to work hard for wickets, especially on such a pitch.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2011.