Defiant Roston Chase helps West Indies to an unlikely draw

Kingston, Aug 4 (CRICKETNMORE) A brilliant century from Roston Chase, aided by half-centuries from Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich and Jason Holder, helped West Indies draw the second Test against India at the Sabina Park Stadium here on Wednesday.

Roston Chase led the way with a defiant 137 to help West Indies score 388/6, while India managed to take just two wickets on Day 5. 

Chase's gritty knock saw him write his name in the record books as he became the first West Indies player since the legendary Garfield Sobers to take a five-wicket haul and score a century in the same Test.

Incidentally, Chase's milestone comes just one day short of 50 years since Sobers' historic effort.

The only West Indies wicket to fall during the post lunch session was that of Shane Dowrch -- a virtual gift by umpire Ian Gould to leg-spinner Amit Mishra.

Dowrich had misread a relatively straight delivery from Mishra. The ball took the inside edge before hitting the pads and the umpire left Dowrich angry and distraught when he raised his finger in response to a rather hopeful appeal from Mishra.

Dowrich played a marvellous innings of 74 runs with six boundaries and a six and gave Chase excellent support from the other end. The duo piled on a 144-run partnership to frustrate the Indian bowlers.

The Indians bowled quite well though their efforts did not bear much fruit.

Earlier, West Indies reached 215/5 in their second innings at lunch.

Riding on contrasting half centuries from middle order batsmen Jermaine Blackwood (63) and Chase, the hosts recovered from the early jolts, which they received on Tuesday.

Starting the day from a precarious 48/4 after a rain-marred fourth day, Blackwood dominated the proceedings to not only get to his 50 in just 41 balls but more importantly set up a 93-run fifth wicket stand with Chase to deny the Indians any early inroads.

After the pacers failed to break the partnership, India skipper Virat Kohli turned towards his premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who did not disappoint and sent Blackwood packing for a 54-ball 63. Blackwood's explosive knock composed of nine fours and two sixes.

Since then Dowrich joined Chase in the middle and the right-handed duo managed to keep the Indian bowlers at bay.

Earlier on Tuesday, only a little less than 16 overs could be bowled as incessant rains forced an early close of play with the visitors on the driver's seat needing just six wickets to win the second Test.

India, in their first innings declared on 500/9 after bundling out the hosts for a paltry 196.

India lead the four-match series 1-0 after winning the first match at Antigua by an innings and 92 runs.

Brief Scores: West Indies 196 & 388/6 (Roston Chase 137 not out, Jason Holder 64 not out, Shane Dowrich 74; Mohammed Shami 2/82, Amit Mishra 2/90) vs India 500/9 declared.