Only 95 balls were bowled on a day where 588 were to be sent down. Tropical Storm Earl didn’t create havoc but produced pockets of rain that disrupted fourth day’s play of the second Test and punctured Indian bowlers’ spirited efforts to claim 10 wickets for the second time in the match and in a day. Despite just 15.5 overs of play on Wednesday, the visitors are still very much in sight of a Test victory that should be secured on the fifth and final day. The forecast for Thursday is promising and India will look to make hay as the sun shines again in Kingston.
Led by Mohammed Shami’s (2/25) brilliant penetrative bowling, India reduced the hosts to 48/4 with Ishant Sharma (1/19) and Amit Mishra (1/4) building tremendous pressure. Once Ishant got the first breakthrough in just his second over with a short ball to Rajendra Chandrika, who played on, there was no looking back. Leggie Mishra struck on the last ball of his second over as Kraigg Brathwaite’s attempt to clear the fence in just the 13th over of the match ended his stay for 23.
It was at this stage that Shami stole the show with his destructive bowling that made batsmen look nervous and cagey. In Marlon Samuels and Darren Bravo, he removed the two most experienced West Indies players. With just a handful of supporters at the ground, Samuels’ seemingly last Test innings at his home ground ended in a forgettable manner. While he may still continue to play Test cricket, his failure to open his account at a crucial juncture will rankle him.
Walking out with his side 41/2, Shami welcomed him a sharp bouncer that hit him on the glove and later his chest. The damage was done with the first ball and he smartly bowled the next three outside the off that were left alone. Expecting another bouncer anytime in the over, Shami smartly bowled a tad fuller and knocked Samuels’ off stump over before the bat could come down. The dismissal of Bravo, another capable West Indies batsman is also a one that Shami will cherish for long. With just two balls left for the lunch session, Bravo was on strike and Shami took long before he ran in to bowl. For starters, he came round the wicket and bowled a well-directed bouncer that ascended up to his throat height. Cramped for room, Bravo could do nothing as KL Rahul in the third slip completed a simple catch.
No further play was possible on the fourth day, but the final day promises to be an engrossing contest with India chasing six wickets with a minimum of 98.1 overs to be bowled.
