Kaif carries Indians to safety

Mohammad Kaif stood firm as the Indian tourists battled to a draw in their three-day match with West Indies A at Arundel.

Kaif made 77 after the fall of early wickets had threatened to embarrass the Indians. At one stage, the West Indies' reserves had reduced VVS Laxman's side to 149/6, a fragile lead of 136.

Seamer Jermaine Lawson seized wickets at regular intervals. The 20-year-old Jamaican returned figures of six for 76 his first five-wicket haul in 15 first-class matches. The Indians were dismissed for 255, the match effectively safe.

West Indies A never looked like chasing 240 at six runs an over. Daren Ganga was clean bowled early by Ajit Agarkar, with Devon Smith, Donovan Pagon and Lendl Simmons following in quick succession as the score slipped to 57/4. Ryan Hinds (10 not out) and Dwayne Bravo's unbeaten 15 ensured there were no final twists and both captains settled for the draw.

Kaif, whose unbeaten 87 led India to an extraordinary win in the NatWest series last week, remained confident throughout. He added 85 in as many minutes for the seventh wicket with Dinesh Mongia (27).

Kaif hit eight fours and a six in his 126 ball-knock. He hits well through the covers and latches on to anything short with a textbook pull. The youngster looks to be another impressive find in an astonishing batting line-up. He will not play in the Test matches unless there are injuries.

Lawson struck early on the third morning, picking up the impressive youngster Parthiv Patel for 20. Opener Wasim Jaffer eased to a competent fifty before he was brilliantly caught by a diving Ryan Hinds for 52. Jaffer hit seven boundaries in a confidence boosting innings heading into next week's first Test with England.

Laxman, batting in an unusually defensive style, blunted the opposition for an hour before giving a catch to stand-in keeper Lendl Simmons as Marlon Black claimed his first wicket.

With the game almost safe, Lawson picked up Mongia and Agarkar in successive balls. Simmons took another catch to give Reon King a second wicket, while Lawson wrapped the innings up as Ganga caught Kaif.

This West Indian team is developing well; they are playing positive, lively cricket and appear to have shed the downcast, sloppy attitude that was symptomatic the early part of the tour. They play Warwickshire on Saturday, eager for another strong showing.