Windies openers unbeaten by lunch
Barath is in good touch
© AFP
West Indies have scored 80 for no loss in the first session of 3rd Test against India in Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium.
Barath and Brathwaite are not out at 37 and 35 respectively giving their team a perfect start in the absence of veteran Chanderpaul. Their patient effort was only the third West Indian Test half-century opening stand of the year.
After losing the toss, MS Dhoni had hoped moisture in the pitch would help his quick bowlers early on, but both Ishant Sharma and debutant Varun Aaron - taking the place of the rested Umesh Yadav - got little sideways movement. Both bowlers consistently hit the 140kph mark, and though there were a couple of plays-and-misses, West Indies' young openers had few serious alarms.
The ball was changed in the fifth over as it went out of shape, but even the newer cherry didn't cause much to discomfort to Barath and Brathwaite.
Spin bowler was introduced pretty early as Ojha bowled the 9th over in order to unnerve the batsmen. He got some extra bounce, and a few deliveries to spin, though not enough to impede West Indies' serene progress.
© Cricket Companion
