WICB XI hold on for draw, Ashwin takes three

West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood returned to form with a patient half-century while R Ashwin scalped three wickets in the second innings as the Indians’ warm-up game against West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI petered out into a draw in Basseterre.

Resuming from their overnight deficit of 158, batsmen Joel Campbell and Shai Hope started slowly. After striking Ravindra Jadeja for two sixes, Campbell holed out to mid-on for a 59-ball 31.

Five overs later, Hope was caught by Virat Kohli at leg slip and the President’s XI were 70 for 3. However, Blackwood, who is part of West Indies’ Test squad for the India series, and Vishaul Singh expelled the Indians’ hopes of a win with a 62-run fourth-wicket partnership off 31 overs

Vishaul was run-out for 39 and Blackwood was bowled by Ashwin for 51 off 143 balls, but Montcin Hodge and Rahkeem Cornwall added 39 for the sixth wicket. Cornwall was caught behind for 21 off Mohammed Shami but with an Indian win seeming unlikely, the game was drawn with 78 overs bowled in the day.

 

India begin their four-Test series against West Indies in North Sound, Antigua from July 21.

Summarized scores: West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI 180 (Cornwall 41, Jadeja 3-16, Ashwin 3-62) and 223 for 6 (Blackwood 51, Hodge 39*, Ashwin 3-59) drew with Indians 364 (Rahul 64, Jadeja 56, Kohli 51, Cornwall 5-118)

You might also like