Rain a worry as WI battles India today

Tue, Aug 9, '16

After a tremendous fightback against India to save the Second Test of the Seagrams series, the West Indies go into the third today with rain threatening to put a damper on the action at the Darren Sammy International Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia.

Rain has been sweeping the Eastern Caribbean over the last few days and this trend is expected to continue. India leads the four-match series 1-0 with this Test and the final in Trinidad carded for August 18 to 22.

The Indians won the opening Test in Antigua convincingly and looked in control of the second before rain and a rear-guard fightback from the West Indies lower order, led by Roston Chase saved the day. Chase, playing in only his second Test, emulated a feat by the legendary Sir Gary Sobers, by scoring a century and taking five wickets in the same match. His unbeaten 137 in the second innings went a long way in saving the match.

Another factor today is the attempted boycott of the match by locals, as they protest the exclusion of national hero Darren Sammy, from the West Indies T20 team for the upcoming two matches in Fort Lauderdale against the Indians.

A protest is scheduled for this morning at 10am at the ground. According to Cassie Emmanuel, founder of the group protesting Sammy’s exclusion: “This protest serves to raise awareness that supporters of the cricket hero are not satisfied with the manner in which the WICB dismissed one of their very own. The majority believe the manner in which Sammy was informed of the board’s decision to have him removed was disrespectful and done informally.”

Many supporters here have shown interest in being part of the protest.