da roleta： In the absence of their lynchpin, West Indies came into the Test with their top seven having played fewer Tests than Virender Sehwag, but they were far from intimidated at the Wankhede Stadium
da bet sport： S Aga22-Nov-2011When England won the last Test to be played here in March 2006, they didso with a top seven that had just 136 caps between them. It was SachinTendulkar’s 132nd game but once India blundered by opting to bowl first,England relied on diligent batting and tremendously disciplined bowling toscript a famous 212-run victory. Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire provided thesoundtrack.It’s far too early to say which way this game will go, but the callownature of a West Indies batting line-up missing the experience ofShivnarine Chanderpaul brought back memories of that match. England couldat least fall back on the example set by Andrew Flintoff, who was playing his 59th Test. West Indies have no one of comparable stature, with MarlonSamuels – whose career has had more stops and starts than a cab in Mumbaitraffic – the most experienced batsman (36 games).Between them, the six specialist batsmen and Carlton Baugh have playedfewer games (86) than Virender Sehwag, who is now just eight caps short ofhundred. But they were far from intimidated by the prospect of goinginto the match without their experienced lynchpin. Kraigg Brathwaite, whomade 68 and added 137 with Adrian Barath for the first wicket, suggestedthat the approach had been no different even with the fulcrum taken away.”As batsmen, we have to score runs,” he said, speaking with the samecomposure that marked his batting. “That’s the bottom line.”The openers eased into proceedings slowly, cautious against VarunAaron’s pace and not inclined to take risks till well into the secondhour. “The ball did a bit early on,” said Brathwaite. “But it was a goodpitch, the best we’ve played on [in India] so far.”He bowled the odd full toss and strayed on to the pads occasionally, but RAshwin represented India’s biggest wicket-taking threat, eventuallydismissing both openers. This was no spinner’s paradise, though, with Brathwaite admitting that the ball turned so slowly that there wasample time to adjust strokes.”As openers, we looked to get through the first hour,” he said. “Afterthat, we wanted to press on and give the team the best start possible.”VVS Laxman reprieved Brathwaite at leg slip when he had 57, but it was otherwise another impressive display in concentration and application.”Playing against India in India and making two 50s has given me a lot ofconfidence. It’s not easy [Test cricket], but I have to keepmoving on from here.”With the openers having established a solid foundation, Kirk Edwards andDarren Bravo cashed in with some gorgeous strokeplay in the final session.On a surface where most batsmen will fancy a big score once set, neitherlooked askance at the loose ball. Edwards dealt in power, while Bravo’sgame was marked by his timing and placement.”We’ll look to bat two days, as India did in the last game,” said aconfident Brathwaite. “The mood in the dressing room’s bubbly and we’llcome out tomorrow and look to dominate.”India, for their part, will look to make sure that they aren’t encircledby another ring of fire.