http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 v India – 1st Test – 1st Day’s Recap
At the end of the first day’s play between the West Indies and India on June 20, 2011, the hosts had scored 34 runs for the loss of one wicket in reply to the tourist’s 246 runs, at Kingston, Jamaica, in the first Test off a three-match series between the
two countries.
Earlier in the day, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, after winning the toss, opted to bat first on a moist surface, hoping to favour it’s spinners in the coming days.
However, the hosts got an early wakeup call as they lost their first wicket when http://www.senore.com/Cricket/R-Rampaul-c2233. The batsman had only scored eight runs.
Then on the last delivery of the 12th over, Rampaul struck again as this time opener, Abhinav Mukund, chipped an inside edge which became the reason for his demise after scoring only 11 runs. Both the openers failed to give their side a good start
and it was up to the middle-order batsmen to control the situation before letting the home side dominate them on the opening day.
Time tested veterans http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Vangipurappu-Venkata-Sai-Laxman-c94905 brought some stability in the middle as they countered the opposition in tough conditions. Both the batsman scored 34 runs for the third wicket partnership.
However, after taking the tally to 64 runs, it was Laxman who lost his wicket to Bishoo as he edged a delivery to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Darren-Julius-Garvey-Sammy-c52468 at slip. This wicket was extremely important for the hosts and they knew that Laxman could have been dangerous had he not been
removed early on. The Indian batsman scored 12 off 31 deliveries.
Next to come in was the inform Virat Kodli, however, the Indian batsman failed on this occasion as he lost his wicket after adding just four runs before edging a delivery straight in the hands of the West Indian wicketkeeper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Carlton-Baugh-c49264.
With four wickets down before lunch, the Indian skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni-c73820 must have been concerned. The Indians needed to come out after lunch with a new frame of mind in order to avert a complete disaster on the first day.
However, the stars were definitely not favouring the Indians as in the 27th over, the well set Dravid was also caught in the slips by Sammy off a delivery bowled by the devastating Bishoo. Dravid scored 40 runs in an innings which included seven
boundaries.
It was now up to the young gun http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lendl-Mark-Platter-Simmons-c72458 off a delivery by Bishoo.
India’s spin sensation, Harbhajan Singh, was sent in next and who could have imagined Raina and Singh to pull off a splendidly crafted partnership as both the batsmen launched at the hosts without any fear.
After completing their half centuries, the batsmen started scoring fast as if playing a one-day game, Singh who is well-known for his hot headedness, smacked Bishoo, the most successful bowler from the Windies right out of the park, shattering the confidence
of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Young-c98322 bowler.
By the end of the 56th over, the two had taken the total to a staggering 229 runs for the loss of six wickets. The partnership had certainly done the damage against the hosts who were perhaps eyeing an early batting in the day.
In the next over, finally http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Fidel-Henderson-Edwards-c57010 got the wicket of Singh after Bishoo took a remarkable diving catch in front of deep-square leg. The batsman played a phenomenal innings of 70 runs and together with Raina added 146 runs in the 7th wicket
partnership.
After Singh, none of the batsmen could provide Raina the support that was needed and lost their wickets cheaply.
Raina was the last man to lose his wicket after scoring 82 runs as he was caught by Bishoo near the boundary off a delivery bowled by Rampaul.
Coming out to bat, the hosts also did not have a great start as they lost their inform, opening batsman Simmons after he had only managed to put three runs on the board.
With Simmons gone, opener http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ramnaresh-Ronnie-Sarwan-c83880 was on two, at the end of the first day’s play.
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