West Indies A crush India A by 10 wickets
Resuming on 181/7, India A folded for 203, taking a lead of only 97 runs. West Indies sealed a 10-wicket win, and with it, the series 2-1.
- Wisden India Staff
- Updated: June 19, 2012 10:31 PM IST
It was just a matter of delaying the inevitable from India A's point of view, after a mediocre bowling performance and a terrible show with the bat in either innings of their third four-day game against West Indies A in St Lucia. In the end, the Indian resistance didn't add up to much as the hosts sealed a 10-wicket win, and with it, the series 2-1.
India A resumed batting on Tuesday with the score on 181 for seven after conceding a 106-run lead in the first innings. Robin Bist, who injured his hand while fielding, was unable to bat, and all hopes rested on Wriddhiman Saha, unbeaten overnight on 48.
But Saha was dismissed early on the fourth day for 52, and though Shami Ahmed, the last man, threw his bat around for an unbeaten 33, the India A innings folded up for just 203, a lead of only 97 runs.
Kevin McClean, the right-arm fast bowler, was the pick of the bowlers with figures of five for 57 from 20 overs, while Delorn Johnson snapped up three wickets.
Chasing the paltry target, the West Indies A openers went out all guns blazing in an effort to quickly reach the target, given the threat of rain. Kieran Powell, who hit 139 in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 56, while Kraigg Brathwaite scored a characteristically patient 39, to take the home team past the victory target.
Powell was named Man of the Match, his century being the only three-figure score in the entire series.
India A had won the first game by two wickets before West Indies A levelled the series with a thumping 125-run win in the second match.