West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood, with an aggressive run-a-ball 62, was the only highlight in the batting department, as the West Indies once again produced a sub-standard batting display and could only manage a paltry first innings total of 196.
Captain Holder’s decision to bat first after winning the toss was called into question, as the playing surface is coated with grass and was expected to represent an easy task for the West Indies fast bowlers.
However, it was India’s fast bowlers who enjoyed the strip and created plenty of chances against a tentative West Indies top order in the first session.
The Indian pacers turned the West Indies innings into a procession, with Ishant Sharma (2-14) and Mohammed Shami (2-23) opening the door for in-form spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to finish the job with five for 52.
“Normally the first hour on the Sabina Park wicket is always going to have a little thing for the pace bowlers and this track has some grass and we sometimes get assistance for the pace bowlers.
“So it was a good decision to bat first, we just didn’t bat for long periods and we just have to learn from that,” Blackwood told journalists in a post first day press conference.
Earlier, with the West Indies struggling at 7-3, Blackwood went on the counter attack and struck seven fours and four sixes in an 81-run fourth wicket stand with Marlon Samuels (37), which briefly offered some hope for the innings.
The 24-year-old, who for four of his last seven innings struggled to get on the scoreboard, was pleased with his return to form.
He pointed out that once again achieving the feat at home made the knock even more delightful.
“I am always going to feel confident, but I am always going to feel tentative as well because I always want to make runs at home.
“So it was a good feeling today (yesterday) and I am just glad that I could help out my team score some runs and I am just happy to be back in this form,” he noted.
The diminutive batsman explained that the manner in which he orchestrated his innings was just based on natural instincts and ability.
“That is just normally how I play, my first 20 runs I normally score fast and then I pace it after that.
“So this is just me playing my natural game.
“It wasn’t a hurry because we had to just go out there with a positive mindset and make use of the scoring opportunities.
“We just had to take it and that is what I did today (yesterday),” he ended.
