Jonathan Carter negates Rohit's brilliance

Medium-pacer Jonathan Carter's superb bowling overshadowed a brilliant innings of 94 by Rohit Sharma as India A grabbed a narrow first-innings lead over West Indies A at Kensington Oval here.

Carter, who bowled at a brisk pace from the Joel Garner end at the north, took a career-best five for 63 from 17 overs to help West Indies A dismiss India A for 277 late on the second day of the four-day ‘Test' on Sunday.

Good knock: Rohit Sharma scored 94. File pIC/Suresh KK

Carter was well assisted by left-arm pacer Delorn Johnson, who bowled with sustained pace to take three for 29 from 14.1 overs.

Rohit Sharma played well and was supported by half-centuries from skipper Cheteshwar Pujara and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, as India A secured a first innings lead of 25. West Indies A, who made 252 in the first innings Saturday, had reached 3-0 off six overs in their second innings at the close of play.

Carter, who entered the match with just three first-class wickets, was almost unplayable as he got movement off the pitch in his first spell and later returned with reverse swing in his second spell. He sent back opener Shikhar Dhawan (9) at 21 for three with his first ball and also had skipper Pujara (50), both caught behind by keeper Devon Thomas, with the score on 114 for four.

Jonathan Carter

In his third spell, Carter trapped Rahul Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar leg-before. His fifth wicket came when Shami Ahmed chipped to skipper Veerasammy Permaul at mid-on at 231 for nine.

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