India sets an uphill task for the host West Indies in the first test at Antigua as Wasim Jaffer continuing his marathon innings got his maiden double century and Mahendra Singh Dhoni slammed a dashing half century during the end of the innings.
Jaffer scored 212 runs to become the third Indian to achieve the distinction in the Caribbean soil while the dashing wicket keeper MS Dhoni with his usual fashion slammed 69 from 52 balls with four boundaries and six sixes to set up a tough target before the Indies.
Resuming their second innings from 215/2, the visitors put 521/6 (dec.) in the board. The host requires 392 runs to take 1-0 lead of the four match series. The West Indies were 13 for no loss at the close of fourth day. With full day’s play left in hand, the Indies need 379 more to post their first victory in the test series.
The Mubaikar who was not out on 113 on third day remained in the crease for about eight hours and a half hours and faced 399 balls during his stylish knock, which contained 24 boundaries and a six. Before departing towards pavilion, he built 203-runs partnership with Skipper Rahul Dravid who scored 62 from 177 balls.
Going by records, the Indies have successfully chased 300 plus target three occasions in their fourth innings at the ARG. One of them was the 418 runs record chase victory over Steve Waugh’s Australia in 2002-03.
Brief Scores:
West Indies VS India
First Test, St John’s, Antigua
India 1st Innings: 241
West Indies Ist Innings: 371
India second Innings: 521 for 6 in 150.5 overs, Innings Dec.
D Mohammed 3 Wickets for 162 runs, Collymore One Wicket for 50
W Jaffer 212(399 balls), R Dravid 62(177 balls), M Dhoni 69(52 balls)
West Indies Second Innings: 13 for no loss
Gayal 2 (not out), Ganga 10 (not out)
Result:
Man of the Match:
Man of the Series:
