West Indies inch towards first innings lead, 182 for 3 at tea

St John's, Antigua, June 3 (UNI) Opener Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan made fluent fifties as the West Indies were inching towards overhauling the Indian total on the second day of first Test here today.

The hosts were 182 for three at tea with Sarwan on 58 and Chanderpaul on six.

India struck early to take the wicket of Darren Ganga but Gayle negated all the early advantage with some savage shots that reminded more of one day batsmanship than that seen in the longer version of the game.

Sreesanth opened the attack for India and bowled a good first over that tested Darren Ganga's off stump twice. Gayle survived a very close call for LBW off Munaf Patel in the second over of the West Indies innings. In typical Gayle style, the tall left-hander from Jamaica slashed hard at a wide delivery next ball and saw the ball fly over slip cordon for the first four of the day.

But, Munaf returned the next over to trap Ganga plumb in front of the wicket for nine. India were fielding without a thirdman and as many as three fours went past that are easing the pressure off the West Indies openers.

Gayle was in a punishing mood and the fall of early wicket didn't deter him. He cut Sreesanth for a boundary over slips and then hit Munaf on the on-side boundary to keep the score board ticking. If that was not enough, the left-handed opener lofted Sreesanth straight over his head for a massive six in the seventh over. Gayle hit two more boundaries in the same over to take the West Indies score past fifty in the ninth over of the innings.

Skipper Rahul Dravid had to take Sreesanth off the attack and debutant VRV Singh was brought in. VRV was the fastest of the Indian seamers but didn't taste any success. At lunch West Indies were 81 for one with Gayle on 45 and Sarwan on 19.

After lunch, Gayle was a more sober self as he got near his fifty. He soon completed his 23rd Test fifty as Indian bowlers struggled to make any break-through. Sreesanth continued to bowl short and was regularly taken around the park.

It was Anil Kumble who finally foxed Gayle luring him to edge to the slips. Dravid took the catch but before that Gayle had added 72 runs to the West Indies total.

Next man in, Brian Lara looked in ominous form and straight away launched into attack, taking once again wayward Sreesanth to task. A hook that cleared the ropes for maximum announced his intentions clear. But, Munaf Patel got the most precious wicket for the Indians in the hour before tea to bring India back from an extremely precarious position.

Lara made bad judgement to an away-going delivery and was caught at point for 18 and West Indies were 159 at that stage.

Sarwan and Chanderpaul then ensured there were no further loss as the West Indies went to tea at 182 for three. Sarwan seemed to have carried on his good form in the one-dayers to the Test arena and was batting on a patient 58. Chanderpaul was giving him company on six.

Earlier, India were bowled out for 241 in their first innings. They added just six runs to their overnight total of 235 for nine before Munaf Patel was cleaned up by Fidel Edwards for nought.

The last pair survived four anxious overs. Sreesanth did all the scoring this morning and remained not out on 29.

A slight shower delayed the start of play on second morning by 15 minutes.

UNI PDS VP0105