Classy Chase ton leads West Indies to improbable draw The Report by Alagappan Muthu

There is a lot to be said of Roston Chase. He’s languid at the crease. He plays late and close to his body. He wasn’t perturbed by a tough situation. And his timing stood out. Two days short of 50 years since it was last done for West Indies and six days after the 80th birthday of the man who did it, Chase achieved the double of a century and a a five-for in the same Test. In the process he helped pull off an improbable draw: batting for survival, West Indies had lost four wickets in 15.5 overs on day four, but on the final day they gave up only two.

Chase looked correct when he defended, graceful when he attacked and bloody determined all through. Sir Garry Sobers would’ve enjoyed a fellow Bajan emulating his feat with an innings like that.

On a wet day four, along with 82.1 overs, it appeared West Indies’ fight had gone missing too. Their openers fell early, and in ungainly fashion. One senior player fell for a duck and another was a sitting duck against a short ball. It had become a walk in the park for India. This morning, however, they were stuck in the mud. The first 25 balls cost 40 runs. The fast bowlers were hit through the line and over the top. The spinners were hit against the turn. Chase had finally made it a contest. At tea, he had the favourites sweating. An hour and a half later, he made Virat Kohli concede and take the draw. The first draw at Sabina Park since 1998.

Summarized scores: West Indies 196 (Blackwood 62, Ashwin 5-52) and 388 for 6 (Chase 137*, Dowrich 74, Holder 64*, Blackwood 63) drew with India 500 for 9 decl. (Rahul 158, Rahane 108*, Chase 5-121)

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