Windies settle down after early scare, Lara scores 48th fifty

St. Lucia, June 14 (UNI) West Indies Skipper Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul led the hosts fightback as the pair batted for two hours without being separated after India had dealt two early blows in the morning on the day final of the second Test here.

At Lunch West Indies were 138 for 3 with Lara batting on 66 and Chanderpaul on 35. It was a gripping first session's play in which both the bowlers and the batsmen came out with equal honours.

India claimed two early wickets in the morning on the last day to press for a result. After the fourth day's disappointment when not even a single ball was delivered due to hostile weather, play started half an hour early today.

India made the most of the early start and sent back Darren Ganga and Ramnaresh Sarwan in the first 30 minutes of the play itself.

Indian skipper Rahul Dravid started with spin from both the ends.

Darren Ganga was foxed by a beauty from Anil Kumble. Ganga couldn't read a googly from the veteran leggie and left the ball alone, only to see the ball rock the top of his stumps. Ganga made 26.

Dravid replaced Sehwag with Munaf Patel to test the new batsmen Ramnaresh Sarwan. Sarwan was edgy in his brief stay. He survived couple of loud shouts from Anil Kumble and also a caught behind appeal from Patel. Munaf produced a beauty that was pitched on the off stump swung away a bit to carry a thin edged to keeper Dhoni.

Sarwan departed for one and West Indies were struggling for 52 for three.

The downfall of Sarwan brought the hosts' most experienced pair at the crease in the form of Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

An interesting battle between bat and ball ensued as the two tried to stay together at the crease against some tight bowling by the Indians.

Lara was resolute in holding on to his wicket but the masterful batsman was also troubled by Anil Kumble and Irfan Pathan. On a wicket where balls were keeping low, Lara used the crease to his advantage. He took his stance one yard outside the crease to negate any appeals for lbw.

Lara's ploy worked for a while as he survived two loud shouts from Pathan. Custodian Dhoni stood up to Pathan, that drew Lara back to his crease. Lara was lucky against Kumble as twice inside edges just missed his stumps.

Playing anchor Lara reached his 48th Test fifty. Chanderpaul at the other end gave excellent company to his skipper as the two raised the first fifty partnership of the innings for Windies. After his usual shaky start, Chanderpaul settled down well and played few excellent cover drives to the fence. At least 98 overs will be bowled today.

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