‘Extremely disappointed’
West Indies skipper Jason Holder expressed disappointment over the performance of his top-order batsmen after his side were bowled out for 222 in the first innings against India at Antigua that gave the visitors a lead of 75 runs.
India then made 185, losing three wickets in the process, to extend the lead to a healthy 260 at stumps on day three on Saturday.
After bowling India out for 297 initially in the first innings, the hosts made a poor start with the bat with none of the top four crossing 25.
As a result, West Indies were struggling at 50 for 3 by the 21st over and if not for a bit of resistance from the lower order, even 200 wouldn’t have been breached.
“Extremely disappointed,” Holder summed up the batting performance after stumps. “It’s been a common thing for our batsmen now. We have not been able to step up as a top-order, the middle and lower order have done an exceptional job. We are behind the eight ball because we did not bat well in the first innings.”
Despite the efforts with the bat, Holder reserved praise for senior fast bowler Kemar Roach, hailing him as the best bowler in the Test so far.
Roach picked up four wickets in the first innings including that of key batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, who he dismissed yet again on day 3 when India batted for the second time.
Comments