|
Opener Wavell Hinds cracked a swashbuckling 147 as the visiting West Indian side ripped apart the Board President's XI bowling to take a 66-run first innings lead on the second day of the three-day match here today. The visitors plundered 321 runs from 90 overs today to finish the second day at a commanding 341 for two with Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan also making handsome contributions.
Hinds struck 17 fours and three sixes in his 187-ball knock before falling leg before wicket to left-arm spinner Murali Kartik. At close, Sarwan was batting on 93 with 13 fours and one six in the company of Shivnarine Chanderpaul who was on 20.
The home team, who had declared their first innings at 275 for eight yesterday, had just two successes in the day with off-spinner Sarandeep Singh accounting for Gayle who made 62 runs and Kartik claiming the prized scalp of Hinds. Resuming at their overnight score of 20 without loss, the West Indians were well served by openers Gayle and Hinds who flayed a spineless bowling attack to score at a very brisk pace.
They put on 128 runs for the opening wicket before Gayle, who hit eight fours and one six during his 122-minute stay at the crease, was caught by Sanjay Bangar at covers. The hard-hitting Gayle had struck a six off Sarandeep on the previous ball but he was out while attempting to repeat that shot.
The fall of Gayle failed to deter Hinds as he continued batting in aggressive fashion and hit Bangar for two consecutive fours. He followed it up with two boundaries and a six off Sarandeep in an over as he raced to his fifty. The tourists took lunch at 151 for one with Hinds unbeaten on 73 and Sarwan on seven. The two returned after the break to haunt the Indian bowlers with their aggressive stroke-play in the second session.
Hinds reached his century in the post-lunch session when a misfielding by Laxmipathy Balaji allowed him to take three runs against Amit Mishra when only one should have been allowed. Sarwan also batted sensibly and continued the good work of Gayle. He reached his 50 off 110 balls, hitting eight fours. The West Indians did not lose any wicket in the second session while adding 106 runs to their total.
After toiling hard for most of the day, the home team finally got to see the back of Hinds in the final session when Kartik trapped him leg before wicket. Hinds added 150 runs for the second wicket with Sarwan. The dismissal of Hinds saw Sarwan taking charge of proceedings. Sarwan, who has so far batted for 263 minutes and hit 13 fours and a six, was looking well set for a century when the stumps were drawn for the day. |
