Windies A struggling to avoid defeat

LEICESTER, England (CMC):

Young pacer Andre Russell's five-wicket haul failed to overshadow another dour batting display, as West Indies A were left staring defeat on the penultimate day of the opening four-day 'Test' against India A yesterday.

The 22-year-old Russell, a late call-up to the squad as a replacement, claimed five for 68 to limit the Indians to 291 all out after they resumed from a powerful overnight position of 183 for two.

By the close at Grace Road, however, West Indies A had slipped to 125 for five, still requiring another 22 runs to avoid an innings defeat.

Caribbean side undone

Yet again, the Caribbean side was undone by debutant left-arm seamer Jaidev Unadkat, who followed up his seven-wicket haul in the first innings by capturing three for 41 to shine once again.

West Indies A did well to recover from the early loss of opener Kraigg Brathwaite for one at 16 for one in the fourth over of the innings to reach 102 for two late in the day. But the 18-year-old Unadkat struck two telling blows late in the session, removing the resolute left-hander Omar Phillips for 35 and the aggressive Chadwick Walton for seven, as three wickets fell for 23 runs.

Kirk Edwards has so far spent over an hour in gathering seven and was partnered by all-rounder David Bernard Jr, who was yet to score, at the close.

Earlier, Windies A had done well to limit the powerful Indian line-up, snaring the last eight wickets for 108 runs.