Splendid Chase century spurs improbable West Indies draw in second Test

Photo: Roston Chase driving through the onside during his magnificent knock of 137 not out as he helped the West Indies to an improbable draw in the second Test match against India at Sabina Park. India leads the four match series 1-0

Led by magnificent unbeaten 137 from all rounder Roston Chase, in only his second Test match, the West Indies had their best day of the series against India so far, forcing an unlikely draw at Sabina Park. The West Indies were staring at defeat with only six wickets in hand as they entered the final day of the test match while the Indians were looking to go up 2-0 in the four match Test series. Chase scored the first century of his test career to follow up on his glorious five wicket haul, which earned him the man of the match award.

With the West Indies starting the day on 48/4, most would have thought it was only a matter of time before the Indians got the other six wickets to go up 2-0 and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Jermaine Blackwood (63) and Roston Chase had the perfect riposte as they gave the home team the perfect lift in the extended morning session. Play began a half hour early and playing with a straight bat, they both reeled off some majestic stokes, pushing the visitors unto the back foot. The pair put on 93 runs for the fifth wicket, as Blackwood, who was the more aggressive of the two breathed life into the West Indies second innings. He was eventually caught at short leg by Cheteshwar Pujara off the bowling of first innings destroyer, Ravi Ashwin at 141/5. It was the second half century of the match for Blackwood, following on his first innings top score of 62.

Shane Dowrich came and joined Chase at the crease and looked comfortable. Chase brought up his half century shortly after, looking like a man of confidence against the Indian bowlers.

The West indies went to the lunch break trailing by 89 runs in what was certainly their best session of series thus far. The Caribbean team scored 167 for just 1 wicket in the morning session.

The West Indies continued to fight through Dowrich and Chase who played sensationally. Dowrich was visibly upset, when umpire Ian Gould wrongfully gave him out leg before wicket (LBW) for 74 off the bowling of Amit Mishra to end a impressive 144 runs partnership. Television replays showed that the wicket keeper/batsman had indeed played the ball unto his pads before it looped up into the air. It was a poor decision. The score read 285/6 at this stage, midway the post lunch session and the Indians smelled blood.

But Captain Jason Holder joined Chase at the wicket and together they put on 103 runs either side of Tea, thwarting the Indian attack, as they comfortably handled everything that was thrown at them.

When it became clear that a result was not possible in the match, Virat Kohli conceded with just under an hour of the scheduled days play remaining. Holder finished not out on 64 as the West Indies closed on 388 for 6 in their second innings. Final scores in the match read – West Indies 196 and 388/6 – India 500/9 decl.

Chase became only the fourth West Indian player to take five wickets and score a century in the same test and only the first to get his first five-fer and maiden test century in the same game.