The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : West Indies in command

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 29, 2005

Sport

Sport - Cricket

West Indies in command

Edwards rips through the Pakistan line-up

BRIDGETOWN: Fidel Edwards grabbed five for 38 as the West Indies skittled Pakistan out for 144 on Friday and built a commanding position on the second day of the first cricket Test at Kensington Oval.

The 23-year-old fast bowler ripped through the inexperienced visitor's batting as the home team, which totalled 345 on day one, secured a first innings lead of 201.

Pakistan captain Younis Khan was Pakistan's top scorer with 31. Corey Collymore took three for 20 while Reon King claimed two for 46.

Gayle, Lara shine

The West Indies, buoyed by an even 50 from Chris Gayle and a fluent 48 by Brian Lara, stretched its lead to a satisfying 369 as it closed on 168 for four in its second innings.

Captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul contributed an important, unbeaten 37 in just under two hours. Shahid Afridi took two for 26, including the key scalp of Lara, and there was a wicket apiece for Danish Kaneria and Abdul Razzaq.

Pakistan's batsmen never established any meaningful partnerships once they resumed on 22 without loss.

The pacy Edwards struck with the third ball of the day to give the West Indies a bright start.

Shahid Afridi had already signalled his intentions with a top-edged hook for four that took him to 1,000 Test runs.

But next ball, a full outswinger, the hard-hitting right-hander edged to third slip where Smith clung onto a waist-high chance.

Yasir Hameed and Salman Butt saw their team past the half century, but Edwards tilted the balance back to the home team by removing an unconvincing Yasir on 12.

Reon King should have had a wicket with his first delivery, but Butt's flashing edge was floored at second slip by Ramnaresh Sarwan. Collymore restored the West Indian advantage as Butt edged to the wicket-keeper chasing a wide ball. The left-hander cracked six 4s off 56 deliveries.

Younis Khan and debutant Bazid Khan set about repairing the early damage in an assured fourth wicket stand. But Collymore cut short Bazid just before lunch to keep the West Indies on top.

Bazid, who joins his grandfather Jahangir Khan and Majid Khan as a Test cricketer, prodded forward defensively and edged to the wicket-keeper.

Collapse

The Pakistan innings fell apart rapidly when it continued after lunch at 96 for four.

King's fourth ball removed Asim Kamal for a duck as the left-hander sliced to gully and Younis Khan fell in the next over, miscuing a pull to mid-on off Edwards. Kamran Akmal chased a wide ball from King and slapped a catch to point and the lower order faded rapidly. Openers Gayle and Devon Smith maintained home team supremacy with an opening stand of 59 before Pakistan clawed back into contention in half hour into the final session. Pakistan's buoyant mood was quickly quelled by Lara and Chanderpaul. The pair put on 72 for the fourth wicket to keep their side on top. Lara was within two of his half century when a slick stumping by Akmal off Afridi cut him short and lifted the visitor againLara cracked five 4s and a six off 52 deliveries. But Chanderpaul found another solid ally in Wavell Hinds . — AP

Scoreboard

West Indies — 1st innings: 345

Pakistan — 1st innings: S. Butt c Browne b Collymore 27, S. Afridi c D. Smith b Edwards 16, Y. Hameed b Edwards 12, Younis c Collymore b Edwards 31, Bazid c Browne b Collymore 9, A. Kamal c Sarwan b King 0, A. Razzaq lbw b Edwards 10, K. Akmal c W. Hinds b King 4, Naved-ul-Hasan c Sarwan b Collymore 17, S. Ahmed b Edwards 6, D. Kaneria (not out) 4, Extras (b-4, nb-4) 8, Total (in 43.4 overs) 144.

Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-54, 3-76, 4-96, 5-96, 6-100, 7-113, 8-120, 9-132.

West Indies bowling: Edwards 14-1-38-5, Powell 10-4-36-0, King 11-1-46-2, Collymore 8.4-3-20- 3.

West Indies — 2nd innings: C. Gayle c Kamal b Kaneria 50, D. Smith c Akmal b Razzaq 10, R. Sarwan c Akmal b Afridi 1, B. Lara st. Akmal b Afridi 48, S. Chanderpaul (batting) 37, W. Hinds (batting) 14, Extras (lb-5, nb-3) 8, Total (for four wkts. in 46 overs) 168.

Fall of wickets: 1-59, 2-64, 3-65, 4-137.

Pakistan bowling: Naved 11-4-36-0, Shabbir 7-2-18-0, Kaneria 12-0-55-1, Razzaq 9-1-28-1, Afridi 7-1-26-2.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport