Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin bagged his 18th five-wicket haul as India dominated the first day of the second Test against the West Indies in Jamaica on Saturday.
Ashwin continued his brilliant form, taking 5-52 as India bowled out the hosts for 196 at Sabina Park in Kingston.
In reply, India were 126-1 at the close of play, trailing by only 70 runs, with Lokesh Rahul on 75 and Cheteshwar Pujara on 18.
Photo: AP
Ashwin’s performance, hot on the heels of a century in the first Test in Antigua — where he also took 7-83 in the second innings in a big India victory— reaffirmed his reputation as arguably the world’s best all-rounder.
“I’m very happy for today. A first-day five-wicket haul is obviously something a spinner will cherish,” Ashwin said in an on-field interview. “I thought the ball came out really well and I just took off from the last game where I left off.”
Ashwin revealed a keen tactical mind, saying he studies his batting opponents and tries to plot not only the best way to dismiss them, but also how to keep them from scoring freely.
“I see the situation of the game, pretty much plan to a batsman’s strength, try to see how I can cut the runs and the strong points of opposition batsmen. For example, Jermaine Blackwood really plays well through the off side,” he said, referring to the Windies No. 5, who top-scored with 62.
Blackwood was adjudged LBW to Ashwin, but the bowler most savored the departure of Marlon Samuels, who scored an obdurate 37 and shared a fourth-wicket stand of 81 with Blackwood.
Samuels was caught bat-pad at short-leg.
Earlier, paceman Ishant Sharma greased the wheels by picking up two early wickets his seamers.
The Windies, who won the toss and batted, lost their first three wickets for only seven runs.
ZIMBABWE, NZ
Staff writer
New Zealand wrapped up the first Test against Zimbabwe by an innings and 117 runs in Bulawayo yesterday.
The hosts were bowled out for 295 in their second innings, with Sean Williams making 119 and Trent Boult taking four wickets.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care