Windies batsmen grind India

Windies batsmen grind India

West Indies showed some belated resistance as their opening batsmen made a solid start to the the third and final Test against India in Mumbai.

The hosts had already wrapped up a series victory after beating their opponents by five wickets in the the opening match and by an innings and 15 runs in the second.

The tourists, looking to avoid a series whitewash, saw Adrian Barath (62) and Kraigg Brathwaite (68) build a century partnership on a placid-looking wicket before both departed to Ravichandran Ashwin to leave them 161 for two at tea.

Windies skipper Darren Sammy won the toss and elected to bat, meaning Sachin Tendulkar's bid for a 100th international century on his home ground would have to wait at least another day.

India selected promising fast bowler Varun Aaron to make his Test debut and, while his pace troubled the tourists early, he found little movement to grab the breakthrough.

After weathering the early pace attack Barath and Brathwaite went about their work with little concern to give West Indies reasons for optimism.

India turned to Ashwin and Ishant Sharma in the second session but they too toiled.

Aaron continued to look impressive without seriously threatening to make the breakthrough but they finally made headway before tea.

It was Ashwin who made Barath pay for a lapse in concentration as he was caught in two minds and got an inside edge onto his pad and up for captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to take the catch.

Brathwaite followed soon after and again Ashwin was the man to do the damage, as the batsman apparently edged onto his pad and Virat Kohli gleefully made the catch to leave the tourists on 150 for two.