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Wasim Jaffer and Rahul Dravid built an unbeaten third-wicket century partnership to strengthen India’s cause on the fourth day in the opening Test against the West Indies on Monday here at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

At lunch, India had reached 308 for two in their second innings, with Jaffer undefeated on 172 and Dravid, the Indian captain, unbeaten on 50. The pair added 161 to give India a lead of 178 and revive the visitors’ fortunes in the Test, after the West Indies looked in control having gained a first innings lead of 130.

Jaffer struck 20 fours and one six from 326 balls in just under seven hours of batting, and Dravid hit two fours from 141 balls in a little under four hours. Jaffer drove Dwayne Bravo off the back-foot through cover for four to reach his 150 and looked set to make a maiden Test double hundred.

Dravid batted with typical grit and determination and arrived at his 50 when he steered

Ian Bradshaw to third man for a single. Both batsmen were fortunate to have survived so long. The defensive field setting from the West Indies saw edges from Jaffer and Dravid elude the desperate hands of Chris Gayle — the one and only slip fielder — in the opening overs, and the two batsmen continued to move forward confidently.

Bravo suckered Jaffer, on 113, into a drive in the second over of the day, and found the edge of the opener’s bat, but the ball flew wide of Chris Gayle at slip, whose desperate dive full length to his right saw him only get his fingertips to the ball.

Bravo was again the grieving bowler when two overs later Dravid mistimed a cut and the ball flew hard and high to Gayle’s right at slip. India, rated at three on the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Rankings, are seeking their first series victory in the Caribbean for 35 years. The four-Test series between the two sides also features matches at Gros Islet (June 10-14), Basseterre (June 22-26), and Kingston (June 30-July 4).

India won toss

India 1st inns 241 (R Dravid 49; D J Bravo 4-40)

West Indies 1st inns 371 (C H Gayle 72, R R Sarwan 58. D J Bravo 68)

India 2nd inns (overnight 215-2)

W Jaffer not out 172

V Sehwag c Gayle b Collymore 41

V V S Laxman c Bradshaw b Mohammed 31

*R Dravid not out 50

Extras (lb3, w4, nb7) 14

Total (2 wkts, 96 overs) 308

To bat: Yuvraj Singh, M Kaif, †M S Dhoni, A Kumble, S Sreesanth, M M Patel, V R Singh

Fall: 1-72, 2-147

Bowling: Edwards 5.4-2-16-0; Collymore 23-8-50-1 (3nb, 2w); Bradshaw 22-3-73-0 (2nb); Bravo 19.2-4-66-0 (1nb, 1w); Mohammed 15-2-67-1; Gayle 7-2-18-0; Sarwan 4-0-15-0 (1nb, 1w)

Test debut: Vikram Singh (India)

Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pakistan) and S J A Taufel (Australia). TV umpire: B R Doctrove. Match referee: J J Crowe (New Zealand)

Remaining matches: June 10-14 2nd Test Gros Islet. June 22-26 3rd Test Basseterre. June 30-July 4 4th Test Kingston.

Source:The News