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India vs West Indies, 2nd test St. Lucia. The highlights

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Day 1.

Consider this – only four batsmen in the history of test match cricket has scored a century before the Lunch Interval on the first day of the test match(three of them were before the second World War, only one after that was Majid Khan of Pakistan) and the fastest century by an Indian in test matches has been off 74 balls by Mohammed Azharuddin....!!

Well, none of these records were broken by Virendra Sehwag on the first day of the St. Lucia test – the second test match between India and West Indies (the list of fastest centuries makers) but I am sure none of the above was more entertaining from an Indian point of view as Sehwag's batting was on Saturday – Day 1 of this test match..

The St. Lucia Pitch :- There were news everywhere that the Pitch at St. Lucia cricket ground is having lots of grass and Indian team is going to have plenty of problems..Well, the Pitch actually did had lots of grass – scattered all over the pitch in small bunches, but rarely helped the West Indian fast bowlers.. The Mud was also wet which, in commentators view, must have helped the seam bowlers but none of that happened. It looked like a flat wicket.

The Toss :- Rahul Dravid won the toss and decided that India will bat first.

The team changes :- From the first test match at Antigua, India made one change by bringing in Irfan Pathan in place of S Sreesanth, who was reportedly was unfit with Hamstring Injury. On the other hands, West Indies made two changes – Injured Fidel Edwards and spinner Dave Mohammed out and in came Pedro Collins and Jerome Taylor – both fast bowlers.

Monrning session :- I told you most of it at the start of this article, but to add to it, India completed 100 in 16.1 overs, Sehwag made 99 not out. He did try to slog the last ball before lunch to complete his century but couldn't. Finally – India 140 for no loss in 25 over.

Post Lunch session :- West Indies came out with a specific plan to bowl good line and length after the Lunch break and also to bowl at the body of Virendra Sehwag. Result – Dropped catch at short mid wicket and a drop catch of Jaffer at the first slip. From then on, the batting from Indian side became more watchful and after the dismissal of Jaffer (caught at slip while trying to play a big drive), Rahul Dravid joined Sehwag and the two started to play safely.

India, having made 140 runs in the first session, made 90 runs in this session and also lost two important wickets, which included Laxman – who got out in similar manner as Jaffer did.

Post tea session :- Sehwag has made 11 centuries in his career so far and 7 of them has been over 150. Today he made 180 PedroCollinsAtSt.Lucia.jpg runs and got out to a short ball which was directed at his hips by Pedro Collins. Dravid was not joined in by Yuvraj who played across the line of a reverse swinging ball from the same bowler and was clean bowled.

From then on, Dravid and Kaif made sure India don't lose anymore wickets, and they also played some good shots to compile 130 runs in this last session. If you remember correctly, Dravid had made 49 off 179 balls in the first Innings in the first test at Antigua and 62 off 177 balls in the second Innings, but today he was more positive and made 95 off 158 balls.

India – 361 for 4 in 85 over at the rate of 4.25 at the close of Day 1 of second test match at St. Lucia. Here's the scorecard if you need.

Note :- The highlights of this Second test match on Tensports will be at following timming.. Do note the time as there is very less chance that you catch the live action of this India vs West Indies series. All of these highlights will be of 2 hours each and same patter will be carried throught the second test match.

Sunday :- Day - 1 highlights at 0830hrs to 1030hrs and again at 1500hrs to 1700hrs.

Monday :- Day – 2 highlights at 0730hrs to 9030hrs and again at 1400hrs to 1600hrs.

Tuesday :- Day – 3 highlights at 0930hrs to 1130hrs and again at 1400hrs to 1600hrs.

Wednesday :- Day – 4 highlights at 0930hrs to 1130hrs and again at 1500hrs to 1700hrs.

Thursday :- Day – 5 highlights at 0900hrs to 1100hrs and again at 1400hrs to 1600hrs.

Friday :- Day – 5 highlights at 0130hrs to 0330hrs, 0930hrs to 1130hrs and thats it. After this, tensports will be showing the highlights of the first one day International between India and West Indies but the highlights of the test matches will be dropped for a few days...

Day 2

It was the first time Rahul Dravid was playing infront of his months old daughter, it was the first time Kaif made his first ever test match century and reached on the verge of getting a hat-trick and it was Irfan Pathan's try to come back into Indian test match team after sitting out in the first test match. I have tried to explain how it all happened on Day 2 of this St. Lucia test match, have a try.

Day 3.

Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet cricket stadium in St. Lucia Islands is situated in the middle of mountains in three corners and ocean at the fourth. And that is the reason that rain is something that never goes away. Having said that, rain also not stays for a long time and it can be called as a passing shower that every now and then passes by the cricket stadium..

Commentators on Tensports have been calling it "Tony cozier showers" but it was something that prompted Rahul Dravid to take some risk and ask West Indies to follow on on Day 3 of this second test match. Rain stopped the play two times and play was called off with 11 overs still remaining in the day... but damage was already done for the west Indies and here is how it happened.

Day 4.

I had earlier remined of the location of St. Lucia cricket ground and ultimately, rain god did come for the rescue of West Indies as Day 4 of this St. Lucia test match between India and West Indies was completely washed off without a single ball being bowled.
RainAtSt.Lucia.jpg

Indian were hurt, West Indies first felt a sigh of relief.. then had a little smile but all in all, Rain god did all the noice making on Day for of this test match..

Day 5.

India needed 9 more wickets and West Indies were given a job of negotiating 98 overs in all on Day 5 as rain had completely gone away from St. Lucia. Half and hour was added to the day's play and 8 more overs, but what India really needed was some early wickets..

And they did get them as Kumble bowled Ganga with his Wrong-one and then Munaf found the edge of Ramnaresh Sarwan..

From from then on, Brain Lara and the thorn in India's flesh - Shivnarine Chanderpaul negotiated full 175 minutes and 294 balls which vertually took the game away from India. When they eventually got rid of Chanderpaul, Bravo joined in Brain Lara - who was trying to prove what he had said on the 2nd day of this St. Lucia test match - "We have 17 wickets left and we are going to make sure we make it hard for them to get us out".

Well, he just had one chance out of those 17 West Indian wickets, but he batted for 300 odd balls, made 120 runs and ultimately saved the match for the...

Frankly, its 0322hrs here in India and this match has just finished, and I can write million more words about it.. But I am also sure that you won't really read them. As it's not Worth it. We could'nt really get the final 3 wickets and thats what is important.. here is more information on the 3rd test match between India and West Indies which will be starting on 22nd of June - The Thrusday. I feel you better read about this match then worry about what has gone by..

and so should our Indian team who has shown that they are the better of the two teams playing test cricket in Caribbean right now.. its just a matter of time when luck will turn in our favour and we will start winning test matches.. and finally the test series as well..!!

Its Only Cricket

India vs West Indies, 2nd test St. Lucia. The highlights

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