SHIMOGA – Half-centuries from Kraigg Brathwaite and Assad Fudadin, as well as a half century stand from Leon Johnson and Chadwick Walton, steered West Indies “A” to 283 for six against India “A” at stumps on the first day of their second unofficial four-day Test here yesterday.
West Indies “A” again failed to convert half centuries into three digits as Brathwaite showed extreme composure in compiling a patient 82 while Fudadin survived chances on his way to 63 at the Jawaharlal Nehru National College Of Engineering Ground.
Brathwaite hit 13 fours in a crucial innings that helped revive West Indies and carried them to safety after they had slumped from 55 for one to 98 for three in front an enthusiastic holiday crowd.
Kieran Powell scored 33 and captain Kirk Edwards 18 before throwing away their wickets while Narsingh Deonarine played across the line to Zaheer Khan and was given out leg before wicket.
Fudadin, who scored seven fours, did not seem as sharp as Brathwaite and was dropped by VA Jagadeesh and Mohammad Kaif on 12 and 27 at square gully and backward point.
However, he soldiered on, adding 117 runs with Brathwaite for the fourth wicket on either side of the tea interval before falling leg before wicket while sweeping at Bhargav Bhatt.
Brathwaite departed three balls later edging to the wicketkeeper while cutting at Parvez Rasool as the visitors were reduced to 215 for five.
India “A” failed to exploit the breakthrough of two quick wickets as Johnson and Walton cushioned the blow with a 68-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
They both accumulated runs by clearing the infield and hitting the ball in vacant spaces.
Johnson scored eight fours, including five off one over from Rasool, to be unbeaten on 36 while Walton struck five fours and was caught for 30.
Bhatt, a left-arm spinner, was the pick of the Indian bowlers with three for 76. (CMC)
