West Indies face tall order - Jaffer plunders 212, but controversy strikes

WASIM JAFFER stroked a brilliant double hundred but controversy marred an otherwise magnificent batting by India on the fourth day of the first Digicel Test against the West Indies at the Antigua Recreation Ground here yesterday.

Jaffer hit a career-best 212 to spur his team to 521 for six declared, setting the West Indies 392 runs to win.

In five overs available at the close, the hosts were 13 without loss with Daren Ganga on 10 and Chris Gayle on 1.

After Jaffer's splendid display in more than eight hours of studious application and superb shot selection, India launched a furious onslaught late in the evening session, thanks to the power hitting of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

CONTROVERSY

But controversy erupted when Dhoni, whose eventual 69 came from just 52 balls, slammed left-arm spinner Dave Mohammed for three consecutive sixes.

Attempting a fourth six, he was caught on the wide mid-wicket boundary by Daren Ganga.

Unsure as to if Ganga stepped on the boundary ropes in taking the catch, umpires Simon Taufel of Australia and Assad Rauf of Pakistan sought the assistance of the TV umpire but video footage proved inconclusive.

After a lengthy delay of about 10 minutes, Simon Taufel of Australia and Assad Rauf of Pakistan appeared to rule Dhoni not out at which point Lara, appearing upset, engaged in a discussion with the officials.

So upset was the West Indies captain that at one stage he dragged the ball away from the umpire at one end of the pitch before throwing it to the stumps at the other end as play seemed set to resume.

In a turn of events, Dhoni seemed to accept Ganga's word that the catch had been taken cleanly and India immediately declared.

The umpires, match referee, Jeff Crowe, along with Lara and Rahul Dravid, met after the game to discuss the issue and it was agreed no action would be taken.

MASTERFUL DISPLAY

However, the incident somewhat overshadowed Jaffer's masterful display after he had resumed on 113 with India on 215 for two, with captain Rahul Dravid on 21.

Jaffer's knock last 503 minutes, 379 balls and comprised 24 fours and one six while Dravid hit a painstaking 62 in 274 minutes, off 174 balls with a couple of fours.

Both batsmen survived early half-chances to Chris Gayle at slip off the bowling of Dwayne Bravo before they set about defying and dominating the Windies attack.

Jaffer and Dravid added a record 203 - the highest partnership for India against the West Indies for the third wicket, as they skillfully advanced the score from 147 for two to 350 before being parted after an association that lasted 274 minutes and 431 balls.

By lunch, they had progressed to 307 for two with Jaffer on 172 and Dravid, playing the supporting role, on 50.

There was a short delay about 15 minutes after the interval, but it only wetted the Indians' appetite for more runs as Jaffer delighted with some splendid drives on either side of wickets and delicious cuts.

The resolute Dravid was dismissed for 62 to end the partnership as he mis-timed a sweep shot and gave a catch to backward square-leg off Mohammed.

With the score on 375 for four, the persevering Bradshaw then bowled Jaffer, who played a half-hearted drive and lost his middle-and-leg-stump.

Yuvraj Singh, who was put down by Chris Gayle on a return catch in the last over before tea, joined Mohammed Kaif to add 44 for the fifth wicket before Yuvraj drove a low catch to Shivnarine Chanderpual at cover to depart for 39.

Dhoni then started his fireworks and with Kaif, who made 46 not out, added a quick-fire 102 runs for the sixth wicket.

The belligerent right-hander blasted six sixes, including the three in succession, off Mohammed and four fours in his 51-minute stay before the declaration amid the controversy.

Mohammed ended three for 162 from 29.5 overs.

SCOREBOARD

INDIA 1st innings 241 (R Dravid 49; Dwayne Bravo 4-40)

WEST INDIES 1st innings 371 (C Gayle 72; M Patel 3-80)

INDIA 2nd innings

W Jaffer b Bradshaw 212

V Sehwag c Gayle b Collymore 41

VVS Laxman c Bradshaw b Mohammed 31

R Dravid c Bradshaw b Mohammed 62

Yuvraj Singh c Chanderpaul b Gayle 39

M Kaif not out 46

MS Dhoni c Ganga b Mohammed 69

Extras (lb6, w6, nb9) 21

TOTAL (6 wkts decl'd, 150.5 overs) 521

Did not bat: A Kumble, S Sreesanth, MM Patel, VRV Singh.

Fall of wickets: 1-72, 2-147, 3-350, 4-375, 5-419, 6-521.

Bowling: Edwards 5.4-2-16-0, Collymore 23-8-50-1 (nb3, w2), Bradshaw 40-9-108-1, (nb4, w1), Bravo 26.2-4-98-0 (nb1, w1), Mohammed 29.5-3-162-3, Gayle 22-5-66-1 (w1), Sarwan 4-0-15-0 (nb1, w1).

WEST INDIES 2nd Innings

C Gayle not out 2

D Ganga not out 10

Extras (lb1) 1

TOTAL (without loss, 5 overs) 13

To bat: Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Dave Mohammed, Ian Bradshaw, Fidel Edwards, Corey Collymore.

Bowling: Patel 2-0-7-0, Sreesanth 2-1-5-0, Kumble 1-1-0-0.

Position: West Indies need 379 runs to win with all 10 second innings wickets standing.

Umpires: Asad Rauf, Simon Taufel.

TV Umpire: Billy Doctrove.

Match referee: Jeff Crowe.