Late strikes help India A pull even against WI A

West Indies A's Kirk Edwards and Kraigg Brathwaite kept India A's bowlers at bay for almost two sessions with a 172-run second-wicket stand, but quick strikes in the last session meant the teams were even at the end of the opening day of the first unofficial Test in Mysore.

Edwards and Brathwaite came together in the third over of the morning at the early loss of opener Kieran Powell, who was dismissed by Mohammad Shami, after West Indies were asked to bat and put the visiting team in a position of strength with a strong stand.

Edwards, who had scored a match-winning century last week in Bangalore, was the dominant partner in the stand, hitting 11 fours and a six in his innings. But his dismissal for 91, to Ishwar Pandey, in the 58th over allowed India a way back.

Brathwaite, who had played more than 200 deliveries in his innings, was dismissed for 91 by Parvez Rasool 11 overs later. Rasool soon added another wicket, that of Narsingh Deonarine, to slow West Indies' charge.

From 175 for 1, West Indies were soon reduced to 237 for 5, but Assad Fudadin and Chadwick Walton prevented any further damage, ending the day at 264.