Rain mars third Test between West indies and India

ROSEAU: Seasonal rain washed away a large chunk of play, after Ishant Sharma helped India make early inroads into the frail West Indies batting in the third Test on Wednesday.

Only 19 deliveries were possible after lunch, as the hosts reached 75 for three in their first innings, after they were sent in to bat on the opening day at Test cricket's newest outpost, Windsor Park.

Sharma continued to bowl impressively to give the Indians early control before lunch, collecting 2-23 from eight overs.

As it falls in the middle of the Caribbean's hurricane season, the match was always going to be at the mercy of the weather, and the two sides were just getting down to business when the weather interrupted about 15 minutes after lunch.

The Indians were beginning to come under pressure from Shivnarine Chanderpaul, not out on 17 in his record 133rd Test appearance for West Indies, and fellow left-hander Darren Bravo, not on 22, the pair adding 40 - unbroken - for the fourth wicket.

Before lunch, Praveen Kumar made the breakthrough for the Indians inside the first half-hour, when Test newcomer Kieran Powell was caught at second slip for three, playing defensively forward to a delivery that moved across him.

Sharma then struck twice in the space of 12 deliveries, leaving West Indies reeling on 35 for three.

He bowled Adrian Barath for 12, when the opener essayed a hook at a short, rising delivery, and diverted the ball into his stumps off the glove.

Sharma fortuitously captured his second scalp, when Kirk Edwards, another Test newcomer, was adjudged caught behind for six, essaying a hook at a flyer.

But TV replays suggested that English umpire Richard Kettleborough may have erred in his decision, since the ball may have ricocheted from the helmet.

It was however, a series-high 18th wicket for the beanpole Indian fast bowler.

India made one change to their line-up, with Munaf Patel replacing Abhimanyu Mithun, while West Indies dropped Lendl Simmons and Ramnaresh Sarwan to hand Test debuts to left-handed opener Powell and middleman Edwards.

India hold a 1-0 lead in the three Test series, following a 63-run victory inside four days in the first Test at Sabina Park in Jamaica, and a draw in the second Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

The visitors are looking to wrap up their second straight Test series victory over West Indies in the Caribbean.

They are also seeking to create a piece of history by becoming the first Indian side to win a Test and One-day International series in the Caribbean.

Windsor Park is the 12th venue in the Caribbean to host a Test, and 106th worldwide.

Chanderpaul is now the most capped West Indies player in Tests, eclipsing fast bowler Courtney Walsh.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011