India in 63-run win over Windies

India underlined their status as the World No.1 Test side with a comfortable 63-run victory over West Indies in the first Test on Thursday.

The Indians successfully defended a victory target of 326 when they dismissed West Indies for 262 in their second innings on the fourth day at Sabina Park.

Suresh Raina formalised the result, when he bowled Devendra Bishoo behind his back for 26 about 35 minutes after lunch.

The victory gave India a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series, with the second Test set to start on Tuesday at Kensington Oval in Barbados. Praveen Kumar finished with three for 42 from 16 overs, Ishant Sharma ended with three for 81 from 17 overs, and Amit Mishra captured two for 62 from 13 overs - and were the main architects of the visitors' final push for victory.

India's bowlers were again virtuous with their lines and lengths, and none of the remaining West Indies batsmen showed the kind of resolve to resist, after the hosts resumed on 131 for three. Before lunch, six wickets - two apiece to Kumar and Mishra - put India on the verge, sinking West Indies to 226 for nine.

Kumar removed the overnight pair of Darren Bravo bowled behind his back for the top score so far of 41, and Shivnarine Chanderpaul caught at extra cover for 30 inside the first half-hour.

Harbhajan Singh then spoiled Carlton Baugh Jr's 29th birthday celebrations, when he had him caught at leg-slip for a duck, leaving West Indies 150 for six.

India's champion off-spinner was, however, quickly removed from the attack, when West Indies captain Darren Sammy launched him for three successive sixes over long-on into the Great Northern Stand.

But Mishra cut short Sammy's fun, when he had him caught at extra cover for 25, and inflicted more agony on West Indies, when he had Brendan Nash lbw for nine, essaying an ugly cross-batted slog, leaving the hosts reeling on 188 for eight.

KINGSTON, AFP