In-form Darren Bravo hit another century to help put West Indies firmly in control of the third Test against India in Mumbai.
Bravo hits another century to put Windies in control in Mumbai
In-form Darren Bravo hit another century to help put West Indies firmly in control of the third Test against India in Mumbai.
Resuming on 267-2, the tourists compiled a formidable total of 575-9 on day two, with Bravo the headline act of the innings, making a classy 166 off 284 balls to record his third century in four matches.
Each of the top six scored half-centuries for the only the fifth time in Test history as the Windies enjoyed a welcome change in fortune after heading into this final game of the series 2-0 down.
However, the tourists did not have it all their own way as Varun Aaron and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin led an Indian fightback in the evening session, the latter closing with figures of 4-154.
Sitting 57no overnight, Bravo looked intent on making the most of helpful conditions after also reaching three figures in the second innings in Kolkata last week.
Elegant assurance
The 22-year-old played with the elegant assurance that has marked him as one of the most promising West Indies batsman of recent times and reached his latest century from 156 balls.
He had earlier combined in a 164-run stand with Kirk Edwards (86) before Ishant Sharma claimed the first breakthrough of the day from a faint edge which wicketkeeper MS Dhoni easily held.
Kieran Powell wasted no time in picking up the baton and had 38no to his name at lunch, with Bravo 105no, while Dhoni resorted to the lesser used spin of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar to vary his attack, although they offered too many loose deliveries and both batsmen put them away with ease.
Powell's half-century came with a dabbed single off Ashwin before the left-hander fell for 81 when he nicked Pragyan Ojha behind, Dhoni clinging on to a sharp catch.
At tea the tourists had reached 494-4, with Bravo having moved smoothly to 156, and Marlon Samuel in support on 18no.
Maiden wicket
But Bravo's innings, which contained 17 boundaries, ended in the 167th over when he gave Aaron his maiden Test wicket with an edge to Dhoni.
Carlton Baugh (four) soon handed the seamer a second and he completed a fine spell when he added the scalp of skipper Darren Sammy (three) with another edge.
With the total well above 500, Samuels became the last of the top six to make his 50 during an Aaron over that was milked for 17 runs, but lost partner Ravi Rampaul for 10 off the first ball of Ashwin's next.
Samuels was Ashwin's fourth victim, going for 61, but last-wicket pair Fidel Edwards and Devendra Bishoo ensured the innings lasted until the end of the day's play, mustering another nine runs between them.
