In the News in June 2006
India in West Indies 2006Cricket News June 2006
India in West Indies 2006
Anil Kumble bowls India to historic victory
July 02, 2006
Anil Kumble bowled India to their first series win in the Caribbean for 35 years on Sunday and their first outside the sub-continent for 20 years.
The leg-spinner's performance lifted his side to a 49-run victory over West Indies and a 1-0 series win in the fourth and final test in Kingston. The first three tests at the Antigua Recreation Ground, the Beausejour Cricket Ground, and Warner Park had ended in draws. West Indies, set 269 to win, had staggered to 144 for seven before wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin's unbeaten half-century lifted them to 219 all out. Kumble finished with six for 78, claiming the last five wickets after tea as he bamboozled the lower-order batsmen with cunning, varied bowling.
Fourth Test, Kingston, day three (close): India (200 & 171) bt West Indies (103 & 219) by 49 runs
Rahul Dravid fifty puts India in charge
July 01, 2006
India ended day two of the final Test on 128-6, giving them an overall lead of 225, after they bowled West Indies for just 103 at Jamaica's Sabina Park.
Captain Rahul Dravid was unbeaten on 62 but scoring again proved difficult on a pitch offering inconsistent bounce as seamer Jerome Taylor took 3-28. Earlier, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh took 5-13 in just 27 balls to help skittle the Windies in 33.3 overs.
Even still, India know that with the Windies needing to make the most runs ever to win at Sabina Park, they are in with a great chance of clinching their first series win in the Caribbean since 1971.
Fourth Test, Kingston, day two (stumps): India 200 & 128-6 v West Indies 103
Jerome Taylor destroys India
June 30, 2006
A brilliant five-wicket haul from Jerome Taylor has helped the West Indies bundle India out for just 200 on the first day of the fourth Test in Jamaica.
Taylor decimated the Indian batsman in scenes reminiscent of the West Indian glory days, his lightning-fast pace seeing him finish the innings 5-50. Only a typically gutsy effort from Rahul Dravid, and a supporting knock from Anil Kumble, saved the tourists from further embarrassment after they had slumped to 6-91. The Indian skipper smashed 10 fours on his way to 81, while Kumble hit seven boundaries during a valuable 45-run knock.
Fourth Test, Kingston, day one (stumps): India 200 v West Indies
India, West Indies to battle for a win in Final Test
June 30, 2006
India are once again in a quandary over team combination as they approach the fourth and final cricket Test beginning at Kingston, Jamaica, on Friday with the ambition of clinching their first series win in the Caribbean in 35 years.
The curator of the Sabina Park has dished out a pitch that will be to the faster bowlers' liking but it is still no guarantee that the match will throw up a winner and break the series deadlock. But both India and West Indies enter the fray with the conviction that they have the will or the firepower to undo the stalemate after the first three Tests ended in a draw. The only ones to have gained in the past one month are the batsmen and runs have been piled by tons.
Five of India's top six now have a century apiece under their belts. For West Indies, three of the top six have done similarly though the likes of Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Marlon Samuels have not missed the honour by much. Ironically, India's dilemma is not because the team is overflowing with talents. It is because they have a hazy outlook. The fear of losing is bigger than the joy of winning. West Indies Team (from): Brian Lara (Captain), Chris Gayle, Daren Ganga, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dwayne Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Runako Morton, Denesh Ramdin, Jerome Taylor, Corey Collymore, Ian Bradshaw, Pedro Collins.
India Team (from): Rahul Dravid (Captain), Virender Sehwag, Wasim Jaffer, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Suresh Raina, Mahendra Dhoni, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Munaf Patel, Dinesh Karthik, VRV Singh, Ramesh Powar.
Sachin Watch
Sachin Tendulkar hits another ton
June 28, 2006
Sachin Tendulkar
came up with another big score for Lashings World XI, hitting
147, before deciding to retire in a charity match against
Reigate Priory Cricket Club, Surrey. Tendulkar was supported by his skipper Richie Richardson who chipped in with 95 runs as Lashings declared at 292 for four in 41.3 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat on Sunday. In reply, Reigate Priory made 197 for seven in 51 overs with Jon Gale top-scoring with an unbeaten 64.
India in West Indies 2006
India and West Indies draw St. Kitts test
June 27, 2006
The third Test between India and West Indies ended in a draw on the fifth and final day at St Kitts on Monday.
Chasing 392 to win, India scored 298 for the loss of four wickets. After the 85 mandatory overs were bowled, Indian captain Rahul Dravid and his West Indies counterpart Brian Lara decided to agree on a draw and end the proceedings. At the close, Dravid was unbeaten on 68 from 130 balls and Yuvraj Singh scored eight from 50 deliveries. Daren Ganga was adjudged man of the match. He scored a century in the first innings and followed it up with a half-century in the second. With the first three Tests drawn, all eyes will be on the fourth and deciding game that is to be played in Jamaica from June 30.
Third Test, St Kitts, day five: West Indies 581 & 172-6d v India 362 & 298-4 (Match drawn)
West Indies lead India by 332 runs
June 26, 2006
West Indies led India by 332 runs at the close of the fourth day of the third Test on Sunday after reaching 113 for four in their second innings.
Earlier, pace bowlers Jerome Taylor and Corey Collymore shared six wickets to help dismiss India for 362 in their first innings as they chased 581. But Windies captain Brian Lara decided against enforcing the follow-on. VVS Laxman scored exactly 100 but was out in the same over in which he completed his century. Fast bowler Shantha Sreesanth and leg-spinner Anil Kumble snared two wickets apiece in West Indies second innings.
Third Test, St Kitts, day four (close): West Indies 581 and 113-4 v India 362
India 150 for 2 at close on third day
June 25, 2006
Opener Wasim Jaffer struck a half-century to bolster India's reply to West Indies 581 on the third day of the third Test on Saturday.
At the close India were 150-2 with Jaffer back in the pavilion after scoring 60 with 10 boundaries. Shivnarine Chanderpaul was left stranded on 97 not out when West Indies collapsed after lunch with off-spinner Harbhajan Singh taking 5-147. India need to score 382 to avoid the follow-on, with the series tied.
Third Test, St Kitts, day three (close of play): West Indies 581 v India 150-2
West Indies charge halted by rain
June 24, 2006
Daren Ganga and Ramnaresh Sarwan hit centuries as West Indies built a big total in the third Test against India.
The home side had reached 420-5 by tea, when heavy rain in St Kitts forced the umpires to call off the day's play. Ganga was bowled for 136 and Guyanese star Sarwan fell lbw for 116 as, having been 346-1, West Indies conceded some of their advantage. Both Brian Lara and Dwayne Bravo were out cheaply, while Munaf Patel took three of the wickets in the innings. Play started early at Warner Park to make up for the three hours lost on the opening morning after heavy rain.
Third Test, St Kitts, day two : West Indies 420-5 v India
West Indies batsmen shine after rain
June 23, 2006
West Indies made a solid start finishing on 207-1 on day one of the third Test against India in St Kitts
West Indies were powered to the strong position largely by opener Chris Gayle, who struck an incredible 83, that included eight fours and five sixes, before he fell to the bowling of Indias Munaf Patel. Despite rain interruptions, Gayle was assisted by fellow opener Daren Ganga in a partnership of 143. Ganga returns to the crease on 64, a high for him since his previous top score had been 36. He batted for 256 minutes and faced 186 balls while striking six fours. Ramnaresh Sarwan, who replaced Gayle, is on 44 not out. Both sides are looking for a win since theyre both tied at 0-0. The West Indies previously won their one-day international at Warner Park, sweeping the series and are probably hoping for a repeat of that performance.
Third Test, St Kitts, day one (close): West Indies 207-1 v India
West Indies threaten strike action
June 22, 2006
STRIKE action could disrupt the third Test between India and the West Indies, which begins today, after it was revealed the Windies players are playing without contracts. The West Indies Players Association is seeking urgent meetings with the West Indies Cricket Board before the start of the Test in St Kitts, but claims its requests have so far been ignored. The players began the series without retainer contracts, something WIPA president Dinanath Ramnarine claims is causing them great displeasure and unease.
Despite the row over contracts, West Indies captain Brian Lara is hoping a lively pitch will help his side gain the upper hand in the four-Test series. The series is level at 0-0, after two tension-filled draws in which the Indian batsmen had their fill on easy-paced pitches, much to Laras annoyance. West Indies (from): B Lara (Captain), I Bradshaw, D Bravo, S Chanderpaul, P Collins, C Collymore, D Ganga, C Gayle, R Morton, D Ramdin, M Samuels, R Sarwan, J Taylor.
India (from): R Dravid (Captain), M Dhoni, W Jaffer, M Kaif, D Karthik, A Kumble, V Laxman, M Patel, I Pathan, R Powar, S Raina, V Sehwag, H Singh, V Singh, Y Singh, S Sreesanth.
Sachin Watch
Sachin Tendulkar hits ton in comeback match
June 22, 2006
Sachin Tendulkar
hit a century as he batted in a match for the first time
since shoulder surgery in March. Tendulkar opened the batting for Lashings World XI in a 40-over charity game against Cambridge University and smashed 155 off 110 balls. He looked to be in good nick despite the long lay-off, negotiating the bowlers with ease. His only alarm came when he was on 80 as he spooned a reverse sweep to short leg but the wicketkeeper was unable to cling on to the hard chance. His 50 came up off 42 balls and he brought up his century with a push to mid-on for a single. Before the start, Tendulkar had little to speak to the media, only saying that his shoulder was "getting better".
The Indian batting superstar is due to play five matches for Lashings, a charity fund-raising side that fields a number of former internationals.
Rahul Dravid completed 10 glorious years in Test Cricket
June 21, 2006
Rahul
Dravid, now leading the Indian cricket team in the West
Indies on Tuesday completed 10 glorious years in the Test
arena - a journey marked by remarkable consistency and constant
endeavour to improve. Dravid will play his 103rd Test when the third Test begins in St Kitts on Thursday. It was on June 20, 1996, that the right-hander from Bangalore made his debut against England at Lord's, London. And Dravid straight way showed his class and calibre as he scored 95 in the only innings of the Test. Essentially a batsman who takes time to get set before tearing the bowling attack apart, Dravid, now 33, has been quite successful in one-day cricket too, though some experts had short-sightedly declared him a misfit for the shorter version a few years ago. After playing 172 Test innings, Dravid has amassed 8,810 runs at an average of 58.34 - an indication of amazing consistency that places him ninth in the all-time list of highest averages.
He has played 47 Tests at home, scoring 3,761 runs at 51.52, with eight centuries; Playing abroad, he has amassed 5,049 runs at 64.73 from 55 Tests with 15 centuries!
India in West Indies 2006
West Indies makes change for St. Kitts Test
June 19, 2006
Trinidad-born left-arm spinner Dave Mohammed has been dropped by West Indies cricket selectors for the next test match against India.
Mohammed, who was not played in the last test match in St. Lucia that again ended in a draw, is being replaced by Jamaican-born batsman Marlon Samuels. Samuels batting average in past test matches is 28.18. He has scored one test hundred since making his test debut in 2000 against Australia at Adelaide. He last played a test match from Nov 17-21, 2005 at Hobart, also against Australia. India and the West Indies face each other in the third Digicel Test at Warner Park, St. Kitts on Thursday, June 22. The first two test matches have both ended in a draw and with two to go, both sides will be looking to claim the victory. The one-day internationals were swept by the West Indies.
Team from : Brian Lara (Captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan (vice captain), Chris Gayle, Daren Ganga, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Runako Morton, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Ian Bradshaw, Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore and Jerome Taylor.
Sachin Watch
Sachin to play for celebrity village team
June 19, 2006
Indian batsman Sachin
Tendulkar will play for all-star side Lashings against
Cambridge University on Wednesday. David Folb, who is chairman
of the English celebrity village cricket team, said on Monday
that retired West Indies quick Courtney Walsh, New Zealand
allrounder Chris Cairns and ex-Zimbabwe captain Tatenda
Taibu will also play for Lashings under former West Indies
captain Richie Richardson. Tendulkar, who had surgery on his right shoulder in March for a cyst and a tear, had dropped out of India's current tour of the West Indies. "This is a great opportunity for me to get back into cricket, to get some batting practice, and to play matches for Lashings World XI that will help to raise money for charity," Tendulkar said. "I get the chance to play alongside internationals players, but not in games where every run counts. The no-pressure, relaxed environment ... will be a great way to work on my game and get back to match fitness." Folb said Tendulkar would play for Lashings at Fenner's on Wednesday and in other matches, some of which take place on English village greens.
Sachin Tendulkar to play twenty20 exhibition match in England
June 18, 2006
Sachin Tendulkar
is looking to resume cricketing action by playing in a Twenty20
exhibition match to be staged at The Oval in London for
the benefit of Pakistan quake victims. Tendulkar, who missed India's current tour of West Indies as he is recovering from a left shoulder injury, said the charity match would be the right vehicle to test himself in a match situation as the pressure would be less. Tendulkar, all set to make his international comeback during the tri-series in Sri Lanka in August, said it was unfortunate to miss the Caribbean tour.
India in West Indies 2006
Fast pitch for St. Kitts test
June 18, 2006
It should be smooth sailing for the West Indies bowlers in the 3rd test of the Digicel series against India in St. Kitts.
This is because a fast pitch is being prepared ahead of the match at Warner Park. And international cricket council pitch consultant, Andy Atkinson, has been flown in to help with the preparation. Atkinson arrives in St. Kitts on the heels of calls from West Indies Captain, Brian Lara to prepare faster pitches better suited to his fast bowlers. After the second test drew, Lara made a call for faster pitches to assist his four-pronged seam attack against the free-scoring Indian batsmen.
The current test series is currently still tied nil-all with two matches remaining.
Laxman likely to be dropped for third Test
June 18, 2006
The axe might fall on middle-order batsman VVS Laxman as India wriggle out of the holiday mode to concentrate on selection matters for the third cricket Test against West Indies starting at St. Kitts on Thursday.
The Indians might have done well in dominating the West Indies in the first two Tests but the fact that they have not been able to force a victory in either of the matches must be rankling the team management. National selector VB Chandrashekhar stoked the debate on selection with the observation that a third spinner is perhaps the need of the hour, which is a sign of changing times as Harbhajan Singh is now seen as third option after Virender Shewag made a strong impression in the two Tests. Since only hints are dropped in the current Indian cricket set-up, it must be presumed, at a certain risk of course, that either Laxman or Yuvraj Singh will be rested.
Yuvraj has better chances of being preferred over Laxman, although the reasons are hazy. Laxman has played as significant innings as Yuvraj has in the last eight or nine months. Hints again must be used to draw one's own conclusions -- since there is a pattern in obsession with youth under the Dravid-Chappell dispensation, Yuvraj, 'the prince charming', appears to be the frontrunner for the middle order slot.
Brian Lara yet to confirm batting at no. 3 against India
June 17, 2006
As it was for all to see in the St Lucia Test, Brian Lara has been the messiah for his side, whenever he batted at number three, but the West Indies captain has not made up his mind yet on whether to come at one down in the remainder of the four-match Test series against India.
Asked to follow on in the second Test, Lara pushed himself up to number three and after rain washed away fourth day's proceedings, scored a crucial 120-run knock to save the match. But despite his phenomenal success at that position, Lara wants to discuss the issue with the team management and his deputy Ramnaresh Sarwan, who occupies the slot.
Jermaine Lawson could play in 3rd test against India
June 16, 2006
The Jamaican pacer, Jermaine Lawson, could be given a call up to the West Indies squad ahead of the 3rd test against India at Warner Park in St. Kitts next Thursday.
The 24-year-old, who last represented the West Indies on the tour of Australia in November last year, has been touted by West Indies skipper, Brian Lara to enhance the squad. Lara has asked his selectors to give him true fast bowlers for the remaining 2 matches of the 4 test series which is tied at nil all. The first 2 tests against India ended in drawn games.
Brian Lara helps Windies to draw
June 14, 2006
A century from Brian Lara helped the West Indies to bat out the final day and secure a draw in the second Test against India in St Lucia.
The captain made 120 as the home side finished the match on 293-7 in their second innings, still 80 runs adrift of India's mammoth first-innings score of 588-8 declared. Resuming on 43-1, the home side's hopes of batting out the day were hit with a double blow early on as Daren Ganga and Ramnaresh Sarwan both departed with just ten added to the overnight total. Lara completed a patient hundred soon after and he added a further 71 with Dwayne Bravo to put the game out of reach before eventually falling to Virender Sehwag lbw.
Bravo made 47 from 123 balls before he lost his wicket, inside-edging onto his pad and Yuvraj Singh made a smart catch at backward short-leg. Denesh Ramdin (17 not out), Ian Bradshaw (1) and Jerome Taylor (0 not out) then safely negotiated the final overs to secure the draw for the West Indies and leave the four-Test series still tied at 0-0. The third of four Tests starts in St Kitts on 22 June.
Second Test, St Lucia, day five: West Indies 215 & 294-7 drew with India 588-8 dec
Under-19 Cricket
India Under-19 cricket team to tour Pakistan
June 14, 2006
The Indian Under-19 team will travel to Pakistan to play two four-day matches and three one-day matches in September, a PCB official said on Tuesday. The Indian board has also confirmed the tour. The tour, which is a regular fixture at youth level between the two countries, is scheduled to be played at smaller venues like Gujranwala, Sheikhupura and Sialkot as the Pakistan board attempts to popularise cricket in parts of the country other than the traditionally cricket-friendly cities of Lahore and Karachi. Test matches have been played in all three venues, though the last one was nearly nine years ago, in 1997, when South Africa played in Sheikhupura.
The PCB official said that the matches would provide youngsters with valuable experience and help them learn to play under pressure. India and Pakistan last met each other in the finals of the Under-19 World Cup in February 2006 in Sri Lanka, where Pakistan bowled the Indian side out for 71 to retain the trophy. The Pakistan Under-19 team will tour India next year to play a return series.
India in West Indies 2006
Rain arrives to rescue West Indies
June 13, 2006
Overnight and early morning showers have delayed the start of play on the fourth day in the second Test between West Indies and India on Tuesday at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.
West Indies, following on 373 runs behind on first innings, were to continue from their bedtime total of 43 for one with opener Daren Ganga not out on 24, alongside captain and batting superstar Brian Lara not out on 15. Replying to India's first innings total of 588 for eight declared, West Indies had been dismissed for 215 about 10 minutes past the scheduled tea break on Monday's third day.
Second Test, St Lucia, day four: West Indies 215 & 43-1 v India 588-8d
India eye victory at St Lucia
June 12, 2006
West Indies are staring defeat in the face after being forced to follow on by India during the third day of the second Test.
Brian Lara's men were dismissed for 215 in their first innings, 373 behind India's formidable first innings effort of 588-8 declared, and then reached 43-1 by the close after visiting captain Rahul Dravid asked them to bat again.
Fast bowler Munaf Patel (3-51) and spin duo Anil Kumble (3-57) and Virender Sehwag (3-33) all picked up three wickets.
Second Test, St Lucia, day three (stumps): West Indies 215 & 43-1 v India 588-8d
Windies totter after India amass 588
June 11, 2006
Mohammad Kaif ended a long wait for his maiden Test century as India piled on the runs against West Indies on day two of the second Test in St Lucia. Kaif, in his 11th Test, became the third centurion in the innings before India declared at 588-8. In reply, West Indies were tottering at 65/3 losing Lara (7) Sarwan (0) and Ganga (16).
Second Test, St Lucia, day two: India 588-8 decl v West Indies 65/3 (25.0 ov)
Sehwag and Dravid take India to 361-4
June 10, 2006
Virender Sehwag hit a magnificent 180 as India finished day one of the second Test in St Lucia on 361-4. The opener, 27, hit 99 of his runs in the morning session, adding 159 for the first wicket with Wasim Jaffer (43). Had he made three figures, Sehwag would have become the first Indian and only the fifth-ever player to hit a century on the opening morning of a Test. His finally fell to Pedro Collins, who captured all four India wickets for 75 runs but Rahul Dravid was 95 not out.
West Indies: C H Gayle, D Ganga, R R Sarwan, B C Lara, S Chanderpaul, D J Bravo, D Ramdin, I D R Bradshaw, P T Collins, J E Taylor, C D Collymore
India: W Jaffer, V Sehwag, R Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, V V S Laxman, M Kaif, M S Dhoni, I K Pathan, A Kumble, M M Patel, V R V Singh
Second Test, St Lucia, day one (close): India 361-4 v West Indies
Heel injury rules out Sreesanth
June 8, 2006
India have suffered an injury setback two days before the second test against West Indies, starting on Saturday at the Beausejour Stadium.
Sreesanth has been ruled out with a sore heel that team physiotherapist John Gloster indicates the fast bowler will need three to five days to overcome. Sreesanth missed the first two matches of the preceding limited-overs series with a similar injury, but Gloster noted it was not a recurrence of that injury.
Sehwag fined, Lara escapes censure
June 8, 2006
Brian Lara went free after angrily waggling his finger at an umpire but Indian vice-captain Virender Sehwag was fined for prematurely celebrating a dismissal in the drawn first cricket Test.
Match referee Mr Jeff Crowe, former New Zealand captain, fined Sehwag 20 per cent of his match fee after the player pleaded guilty in a hearing after play concluded in Antigua on Tuesday. The charge was brought by umpires Mr Asad Rauf, Mr Simon Taufel and Mr Billy Doctrove. Rauf, a Pakistani, was at the receiving end of the West Indies captains anger when he snatched the ball and gesticulated at him during the controversial Mahendra Singh Dhoni dismissal on the fourth evening of the match. An ICC statement said Sehwag was found to have breached Clause 1.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct which relates to the practice of celebrating a dismissal before the decision has been given. Sehwag, it seems, has a special affinity with Match Referees. The Delhi batsman was banned for one Test for a similar offence on his debut tour of South Africa in 2001 by Mr Mike Denness, an episode which threatened to split world cricket. Mr Jagmohan Dalmiya, the then president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, reacted by getting Mr Denness removed as Match Referee for the following Test which, however, was withdrawn of its official status by the ICC. And Sehwag ultimately served the ban by sitting out of the first Test of the home series against England that followed next.
Collins replaces injured Edwards in West Indies Test Squad
June 7, 2006
Left-arm seamer Pedro Collins will replace his injured half-brother Fidel Edwards in the West Indies squad for the second test against India starting on Saturday in St Lucia.
Edwards strained his right hamstring during the first test, which ended in a draw on Tuesday, the West Indies Cricket Board said in a statement. Collins, the only change to the 13-man squad, has played 29 tests and taken 96 wickets with a best of six for 53 against Bangladesh in 2004. His last test appearance was against South Africa in April 2005.
Antigua Test ends in a thrilling draw
June 6, 2006
West Indian paceman Fidel Edwards, hampered by a hamstring injury and batting with a runner, and his last-wicket partner Corey Collymore played out 19 balls to deny India victory in the first Test at the Antigua Recreation Ground.
The match had seemed headed for stalemate when the West Indies reached tea on 158 for three, but India applied the pressure relentlessly to take six wickets in the final session. Edwards and Collymore were both one not out at the end after leg-spinner Anil Kumble had come close to bowling India to victory by taking four for 107.
First Test, St John's, day five (close): India 241 & 521-6 dec draw with West Indies 371 & 298-9
Wasim Jaffer puts West Indies on back foot
June 5, 2006
Opener Wasim Jaffer hit a magnificent 212 and Mahendra Dhoni lashed six sixes in a frantic 69 as India created a match-winning
position against West Indies here on the fourth day of the
opening Test. India, who started the day on 215 for two, declared at 521 for six at Antigua Recreation Ground. West Indies, set a challenging 392 to win in just over a day, were 13 without loss at the close.
Jaffer's maiden double century was the anchor of India's superb fight-back after conceding a first-innings lead of 130. Dhoni provided late acceleration and his dismissal, to a catch at deep midwicket which was nearly his seventh six, proved a controversial moment at the end of the day.
First Test, St John's, day four (close): India 241 & 521-6 dec v West Indies 371 & 13-0
Wasim Jaffir ton turns tide for India
June 4, 2006
Wasim Jaffer scored his second Test century as India battled back to gain control after three days of the first Test against West Indies in Antigua.
The hosts had carved out a useful lead of 130 as they were bowled out for 371. But by the close, Jaffir's career-best 113 not out had steered India to 215 for 2 in their second innings, a lead of 85.
Jaffer shared an opening stand of 72 with Virender Sehwag (41), 75 for the second wicket with VVS Laxman (31) and an unbroken 68 with Rahul Dravid. The captain was still there on 21 not out at the close, while Jaffer's unbeaten knock has come from 223 balls, with 12 fours.
First Test, St John's, day three: India 241 & 215-2 (close) v West Indies 371
Chris Gayle force Windies punish India
June 3, 2006
Half centuries from Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Ramnaresh Sarwan put West Indies in command on day two of the first Test against India in Antigua.
Having dismissed the tourists for 241, the Windies reached 318 for 6 by the close, a lead of 77 runs. Gayle top scored with a typically belligerent 72, Bravo hit an attractive 63 while Sarwan laboured to 57. Virender Sehwag was the pick of the bowlers with 2-32, dismissing Bravo and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who made 24. Munaf Patel (2-60) and leg-spinner Anil Kumble (2-85) were also among the wickets but the inexperience of seamers Sri Sreesanth and VRV Singh was exposed during Gayle's initial assault.
First Test, St John's, day two (close): India 241 v West Indies 318-6
West Indies take charge against India
June 2, 2006
West Indies produced a strong bowling display to restrict India to 235 for 9 at stumps on day one of the first Test.
All-rounder Dwayne Bravo claimed 4-37 and Corey Collymore 3-27 as India struggled after electing to bat. Eight batsmen reached double figures for the tourists but none of them could go on to play a major innings and Rahul Dravid's 49 was the top score. India were 180-7 but Sri Sreesanth and Anil Kumble boosted the total by adding 47 for the eighth wicket. India sprang a surprise at the start by leaving out Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan Singh and giving a debut to seam bowler VRV Singh.
First Test, St John's, day one (close): India 235-9 v West Indies
India loses wickets after electing to bat first
June 2, 2006
India skipper Rahul Dravid won the toss and opted to bat in the first Test in Antigua, looking for his side's first series in the West Indies since 1971.
Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan Singh were left out by India, with Anil Kumble the sole spinner and VVS Laxman back. West Indies won the one-day series 4-1, but India are favourites for the Tests. West Indies Team : C H Gayle, D Ganga, R R Sarwan, B C Lara, S Chanderpaul, D J Bravo, D Ramdin, I D R Bradshaw, C D Collymore, D Mohammed, F H Edwards
India Team : W Jaffer, V Sehwag, R Dravid, V V S Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, M Kaif, M S Dhoni, A Kumble, S Sreesanth, V R V Singh, M M Patel
Corey Collymore and Shivnarine Chanderpaul fit to play
June 2, 2006
West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul and fast bowler Corey Collymore passed fitness tests this morning in Antigua and are available for selection to the final Eleven for the first test match against India.
Chanderpaul suffered a small tear to his left hamstring during the third ODI in St Kitts. He was forced to miss the final two ODIs but remained with the squad to receive treatment from physiotherapist Stephen Partridge. Collymore twisted his right ankle in the final ODI in Trinidad and did not bowl in the game. After receiving treatment from Partridge, he was able to bowl in the Windies net session yesterday and participated fully in the practice session at the Antigua Recreation Ground this morning.
Meanwhile, a pitch with a little grass is the order of the day for the first Test. But the West Indies will start with the advantage. The West Indies Cricket Board announced the appointment of Ramnaresh Sarwan as vice captain of the West Indies cricket team for the remainder of the Digicel 2006 home series. Sarwan, age 25, will be number two to Brian Lara. Sarwan has performed outstandingly during his career and won the man-of-the-series award in the just-concluded one-day international series between the West Indies and India.
BCCI News
BCCI shortlists eight umpires for ICC and ACC matches
Jun 01, 2006
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) umpire sub-committee has cancelled the entire domestic elite umpire panel and will soon constitute a new panel...
BCCI opts for two-year terms
Jun 01, 2006
The Board of Control for Cricket in India adopted the proposed amendments to its constitution at a special general body meeting at Mumbai on Thursday...
India West indies Tests live on Ten Sports
Jun 01, 2006
Following the shocking 4-1 defeat in the one-day international series, there is immense interest in how India will now tackle a resurgent West Indies in the four-Test series....
Cricket News from the Past..
- May 2006 - India in West Indies 2006, Eurasia Cup Abu Dhabi 2006
- April 2006 - Eurasia Cup Abu Dhabi 2006, 20-20 Cricket Classic Bermuda 2006, India vs Pakistan DLF Cricket Cup 2006, India Pakistan Veterans Cricket Series 2006
- March 2006 - India vs England Test Matches (1-1), One Day Internationals
- Feb 2006 - India wins ODI series, Pak wins Tests & U-19 WC
- January 2006 - India in Pakistan
- December 2005 - Pakistan, India and Ganguly
- Oct, Nov 2005 - India vs Sri Lanka
- September 2005 - India Zimbabwe Tests, Ganguly Chappell Row.
- August 2005 - India's Zimbabwe tour, Videocon Trophy
- July 2005 - Dravid captain, tours Sri Lanka
- May and June 2005 - New Coach, and many Questions!!
- April 2005 - India Pakistan series; Women's World Cup
- March 2005 - The much awaited Pakistan series starts..
- February 2005 - Waiting for the Pakistan series, BCCIs court date, Shiv Sena's pitch attack
- January 2005 - Tsunami matches, Sachin's injury and Shoaib's no-ball!
- Roller Coaster Ride for India in 2004
- Cricket News 2004 Archives
India, South Africa and Sri Lanka - Tri Series 2006 in Sri Lanka
Tri Series Schedule
- August 14, Sri Lanka vs South Africa at R Premadasa Stadium (D/N)
- August 16 Sri Lanka vs India at R Premadasa Stadium (D/N)
- August 19 India vs South Africa at Sinhalese Sports Club
- August 21 Sri Lanka vs South Africa at Sinhalese Sports Club
- August 24 Sri Lanka vs India at R Premadasa Stadium (D/N)
- August 26 India vs South Africa at R Premadasa Stadium (D/N)
- August 29 Final at R Premadasa Stadium (D/N)
2006 India West Indies Cricket Series
- India in West Indies 2006 Cricket Series Home
- Practice Match at Jamaica
- ODI Home | 1st ODI-Jamaica | 2nd ODI-Jamaica | 3rd ODI-St Kitts | 4th ODI-Trinidad | 5th ODI-Trinidad
- India vs West Indies Antigua Cricket Test
- India vs West Indies St. Lucia Cricket Test
- India vs WICB Board XI at Nevis
- India vs West Indies St Kitts Cricket Test
- India vs West Indies Jamaica Cricket Test
- India vs West Indies Cricket Test Photos
- West Indies Cricket Team
- Indian Cricket Team
- Complete Itinerary - India vs West Indies 2006
- Tickets for the Cricket Series
- Live Telecast & Commentary on Television, Internet and Radio