Sehwag leads Indian charge with a rollicking fifty against Windies

St Lucia, Jun 10 (UNI) Virender Sehwag led the Indian charge with a quick-fire fifty as he and Wasim Jaffer made a confident start to take the visitors to 79 for no loss after twelve overs in the second Test against West Indies here today.

Sehwag started his innings with a four after Rahul Dravid inserted India in after winning with a beautiful cover drive to the boundary. The pitch was playing good and Sehwag sent Pedro Collins and Jerome Taylor for a leather hunt.

The batsman from Delhi hit Taylor behind point and square leg boundary for fours. Collins was not spared either, treating him with a beautiful straight drive for four early on. After nine overs, India raced to 45 and West Indies skipper Lara took off Taylor and introduced Bravo from the pavilion end.

But, Sehwag had good fare dished out for Bravo as well. He rocked on the back-foot to square-cut a short delivery to the fence. He then hit next ball for two on the leg side to raise India's fifty in ten overs.

Bravo was in for some harsher treatment next over. Sehwag hit him over at extra cover for six to raise his fifty. He followed it with a cut that was in air for some time but dissected second slip and gully for four. Bravo was then hit over fielder at long on for another four. Next shot was even better, same place but it crossed the boundary for six.

The swashbuckling Indian opener had scored 64 off only 37 balls with 10 hits to the fence and two sixes. Jaffer was giving him company at 12.

India made one change from squad which played in the first drawn Test at Antigua, with Irfan Pathan coming in for Sreesanth. West Indies made two changes, bringing in Pedro Collins and Jerome Taylor for Dave Mohammad and Fidel Edwards.

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