Sarwan hits 140 as Windies opener ends in draw
Narayanan Madhavan
Ramnaresh Sarwan struck a patient 140 as the West Indies amassed 606 for four against an the Indian Board President's XI in their tour-opening three-day match, which ended in a draw on Sunday.
The West Indies, opting for batting practice, played out the final day without trying to push for a result in reply to the home side's first innings 275 for eight declared.
The visting side, 341 for two overnight, lost left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul (25) early but captain Carl Hooper smashed a whirlwind 67 in an 85-run fourth-wicket stand with Sarwan.
Hooper went on a rampage in the latter half of his 73-ball knock, punishing the bowlers with a flurry of boundaries.
Sarwan, 93 overnight, batted sedately to bring up his seventh first-class century.
Meanwhile, Hooper lofted leg-spinner Amit Mishra for two consecutive sixes and raced to his 50, hooking medium-pacer Sanjay Bangar over mid-wicket.
Left-arm spinner Murali Kartik finally got Hooper with a flighted ball that the batsman edged to Patel.
"I've played a lot against spinners," Hooper said. "That's my game and I've played quite a lot in these parts."
Sarwan retired after more than seven hours at the crease as the visiting side tried to get all their batsmen accustomed to the conditions in their only tour match ahead of the first Test in Mumbai, starting on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old Guyanese has yet to score a Test century despite 13 half-centuries in 24 matches.
All-rounder Ryan Hinds retired after hitting 74 and wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs (50 not out) added another half-century before play was ended 35 minutes ahead of schedule.
"The batters had the opportunity to occupy the crease in the middle," Hooper said. "That's a big plus for us. The bowlers also did well to restrict the Board XI side."
Mishra, who was punished for 114 runs from 26 overs by tea, has been named in the India squad for the first two matches of the three-Test series.
Hooper said the West Indies team had not specifically targeted the 19-year-old after his selection.
"We did not plan to go after him. He's a good bowler, I'm sure he bowls better otherwise," he said.
Hooper, 36, will play his 100th Test in Mumbai.
Mail Cricket Editor
(C) 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similiar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters Sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
