Bowlers hand India advantage, reduce West Indies to 229 for 5

Port of Spain, Jul 23 (PTI) Despite multiple rain interventions, India tightened their hold over West Indies as the hosts were placed at a delicate 229 for 5 at the end of the third day of the second Test here on Saturday.

West Indies trail by 209 runs with Alick Athanaze (37) holding the fort with Jason Holder (11).

There was not much on offer for Indian bowlers as the pitch largely remained cold to their efforts.

However, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj managed to find moments of magic to tilt the balance in favour of India.

Ashwin’s late-dipping off-break to castle Kraigg Brathwaite (75) was simply otherworldly.

Indians will be hoping to bring curtains to Windies innings at the earliest on Day 4 to further drive home the advantage.

Brief score: West Indies Ist Innings: 229 for 5 in 108 overs (Kraigg Brathwaite 75, Alick Athanaze batting 37, Kirk McKenzie 37; Ravindra Jadeja 2/36, R Ashwin 1/58) Vs India: 438 all out.