Windies restricted to modest total

Spinning a web:Amit Mishra, imparting serious revolutions to the ball, had the West Indian batsmen in all sorts of trouble, much to the delight of his captain Suresh Raina
Port of Spain: Amit Mishra, operating with craft and control, held centre-stage as India restricted the West Indies to 240 for nine in the second ODI of the five-match Digicel series at the Queen's Park Oval here on Wednesday. The leg-spinner scalped four.

Munaf Patel, operating to an off-stump line, seaming the ball and brining about subtle changes in pace and length in the end-overs took out three batsmen. Just when one expected the host to put the foot on the accelerator, the West Indies collapsed from 175 for two in the 36th over to 197 for seven in the 44th.

The Caribbeans scored a brisk 76 runs for the loss of a wicket in the first two sets of Power Plays that concluded in the 15th over. Then, the West Indies lost considerable ground in the batting Power Play — taken between overs 42 to 46 — cobbling together just 20 runs for the loss of three wickets.

Skipper Darren Sammy (22 not out) displayed some fight in the end-overs in the company of tail-enders.

Although there was turn for the spinners, the ball was coming on to the bat more. Mishra impressed with his control, flight and spin. Essentially relying on his leg-spinners and mixing them with the odd wrong-un, he tormented the West Indies batsmen.

Opener Kirk Edwards lunged forward, more in hope than conviction, as a flighted, turning delivery kissed the edge. Mishra angled one into Kieron Pollard from slightly wide off the crease. The right-hander, missing a sweep, was caught in front for a naught.

Mishra was imparting serious revolutions on the ball and Dwayne Bravo's brave intentions only resulted in finding a fielder at long-off. Moments later, Carlton Baugh inside-edged a googly.

Harbhajan Singh, often bowling from round-the-wicket, failed to make an impression. The experienced off-spinner might have sought to deny batsmen width outside the off-stump and cramp them on the leg-side. But on a pitch offering spin he could have operated to a more direct and attacking off-stump line from over-the-wicket.

Once again, Ramnaresh Sarwan donned the role of an anchor. Yet — even if his job was to hold the innings together — Sarwan should have done better than make 56 from 90 deliveries. He is not bringing into play his wrists well enough to work the ball into the empty spaces. Sarwan's innings concluded on a disappointing note when he was picked up at deep square-leg off a Munaf full toss.

During the phase when the West Indies dominated, Lendl Simmons (53) and Marlon Samuels (36) found themselves in the thick of things. Samuels on-drove Suresh Raina with poise. He then launched into a rousing cover-drive off Mishra before skipping down to loft Yusuf over the long-on ropes. The off-spinner, however, struck in the same over by luring Samuels with a delivery well outside the off-stump.

But then, Simmons gave his wicket away when he, charging down, perished to a leg-side wide from Pathan; ‘keeper Parthiv Patel pulled off the stumping.

The West Indies was off to a rather bright start after with openers Kirk Edwards — he held on to his place with Darren Bravo making way for Pollard — and Simmons putting on 57 in 12.1 overs with some bright stroke-play.

The threat of rain later in the day and the prospect of early moisture in the wicket might have influenced Raina's decision to bat. Gradually, the opener pair upped the tempo.

For a change, the Indian fielders were chasing leather. Surviving an early chance — bowler Munaf could not quite latch on to a booming drive — Edwards opened out with a few powerful blows. None more emphatic than a mighty six over long on. Given their difference in height — Edwards is much taller than Simmons — the Indian bowlers were forced to bowl at different lengths as well. Then Mishra provided the break-through.