SHIMOGA – Leon Johnson missed a second first class century by nine runs as the West Indies “A” built a formidable total of 406 against India “A” on the second day of their unofficial four-day cricket Test match here yesterday.
At stumps, India “A”, reduced to 114 for three at one stage, were 191 for the same three, trailing the visitors by 215 at the Jawaharlal Nehru National College of Engineering Ground.
Resuming from an overnight score of 283 for six, West Indies “A” added 123 and lost the final four wickets in the first session.
Left-handed No. 6 batsman Johnson added 55 runs to his overnight score of 36 not out.
He hit 16 fours to top score with 91, which took 185 minutes and 131 balls.
The 26-year-old Guyanese, playing in his 44th first class match, led a lower-order resistance. He shared in a 97-run seventh-wicket partnership with Nikita Miller, who scored an unbeaten 64 in a steady 95-ball knock, which contained eight fours.
Left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt was the wrecker-in-chief, picking up seven wickets for 113.
Bhatt ran through the tail as the West Indies “A” lost their final four wickets for 26 runs.
V.A. Jagadeesh and Abhishek Nayar, unbeaten on 79 and 56, respectively, have taken India “A” to within 66 runs of avoiding the follow-on.
The Indian “A” batsmen dismissed cheaply included experienced Test batsmen Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, who are both seeking a return to the senior side.
Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul has so far taken two for 60 in 23 overs, removing both Gambhir for 11 and having Sehwag stumped for seven.
Miller took the other wicket of India “A” captain Cheteshwar Pujara, who made a patient 25 off 90 balls.
