Athanaze impresses on debut, but India hold upper hand
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Day 1 of 1st Test
Venue: Windsor Park, Dominica
Toss: West Indies won and batted
Scorecard: https://matchcentre.windiescricket.com/match/36f89689-1016-4ca7-9f69-29b83a12b8dc/scorecard
West Indies endured a difficult start top the opening Test when they were bowled out for just 150 half hour after tea, with off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin taking 5-60.
India then moved swiftly to 80 without loss to finish the day only 70 runs behind.
The standout for West Indies was the debutant Alick Athanaze, who top-scored with a stylish 47 before he fell 11 minutes before the tea interval. Making his debut on home soil with his family in the crowd, he arrived at the crease half-hour before lunch, the 24-year-old left-hander crafted a composed innings which required 99 balls and 2-¼ hours, and comprised six fours and a six.
His 41-run, sixth wicket stand with all-rounder Jason Holder (18) in the second session was the best of the innings.
“I think the key for me today was just settling in. Normally when I bat I tend to score quickly but it was just about giving myself a chance, adapting to the conditions and understanding what [the bowlers] were trying to do,” Athanaze said. “Once added responsibility is placed on me, I tend to thrive in those situations. So, it wasn’t an ideal situation for the team but coming in, it helped me to switch on that a couple of wickets were down.”
Earlier, Ashwin was supported by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja who picked up 3-26, as West Indies never really recovered from 68-4 at lunch.
In reply, India debutant left-hander Yashasvi Jaiswal was unbeaten on 40 from 73 balls with six fours, and partnered by captain Rohit Sharma on 30 from 65 balls, including three fours and a six.
The match resumes on Thursday at 10am.