Wet outfield denies India chance to level series

Lauderhill (US), Aug 28 (PTI) In an anti-climactic finishto the second Twenty20 cricket International, wet outfielddenied India chance to level the series after dominatingproceedings in the West Indies innings as the match was calledoff due to wet outfield, here today. The match began late by 40 minutes due to technicalreasons and later rain spoilt India’s chase when they were 15for none in two overs, chasing 144 to win. Absence of Super Sopper at the Central Broward RegionalPark Stadium meant that the game could not be re-started atcut-off time. It was heartbreaking for India as their bowlers bowledwith supreme control to bundle out West Indies for a mere 143in 19.4 overs, leaving behind the bashing they had suffered inthe opening match. West Indies thus took the series 1-0. In the fourth Test at Port of Spain also, the rain andunplayable conditions had denied India the chace to retaintheir number on rank in Tests as the match ended in a draw. Indian bowlers put up a collective effort in restrictingthe West Indies to a manageable total on a slow wicket thathad nothing for the pacers. Leg spinner Amit Mishra (3/24) provided the openingbreakthrough by dismissing Johnson Charles (43) and R Ashwinthen combined with paceman Jasprit Bumrah to tighten the noosearound the West Indies with regular strikes. Mishra, who replaced Stuart Binny, gave away only 24 runsand dismissed three batsmen and his bowling made a good impactalong with Ashwin (2/11), who conceded very few runs in histhree overs. Bumrah (2/26) was consistent with his line and lengthwhile Mohammed Shami also chipped in with two scalps. The Indian pace duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shami (2/31)initially bowled at a good length but were punished when theystrayed as the pitch had nothing to offer for the pacers. Charles hoicked Bhuvneshwar, who dug one short, for amassive six over mid-wicket to begin the fireworks even asShami removed the first match centurion Evin Lewis (7). An unfazed Charles though flicked Shami for another sixwith the strength of his wrist and followed it up withconsecutive boundaries. Charles had no problem whether he was facing a short ballor a length delivery. The strapping Windies batsman dispatchedthose balls to the boundary ropes with consummate ease. Mishra struck with his first ball as he saw the back ofCharles, who attempted a maximum but found Ajinkya Rahane atlong on. Mishra put the brakes on the scoring rate, giving awayonly four runs in that over. With spinners looking like makingan impact, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni introducedleft-armer Ravindra Jadeja, who bowled five dots and concededonly one run in the next over. While the first five overs fetched West Indies 50 runs,India conceded only 26 in the next five, bowled by spinners,and also took two wickets. Ashwin foxed a charging LendlSimmons (19) with a wide ball and had him stumped. Jasprit Bumrah had Marlon Samuels (5) caught behind withhis first ball while Ashwin had his second wicket when hetrapped Kieron Pollard (13) in the next over. West Indies were now struggling. Bumrah cleaned up AndreFletcher (3) and Mishra returned to get the better of DwayneBravo (3) and the very dangerous Carlos Brathaaite (18). PTIATAT