Indians whip Jamaica by 116 runs

The touring Indians issued a warning to the West Indies, with a dominant win over a Jamaican XI in their tour opener. Jamaica, despite boasting five players with senior international experience, slumped to a 116-run loss.

A total of 25 players participated in the tour match, and 16 bowled over the course of the one-sided affair.

Suresh Raina’s half-century – 50; retired hurt – was well complemented by Mohammed Kaif and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, each of whom scored 49. Dhoni was particularly potent, and he announced his arrival in the Caribbean with 4 fours and 3 sixes in his 23-ball offering.

India got off to a brisk start behind the crisp strokeplay of Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid. The two fashioned an opening stand of 61 in 12 overs before West Indies seamer, Daren Powell, separated them.

The impressive Andrew Richardson then removed the Indian captain with a ball that nipped back, claiming the first of his 3 wickets on the day. Kaif survived an early shout for lbw, and Raina was dropped on 2, but neither proved too concerned by the near misses, and they grew in confidence in their goal of rebuilding.

The decisive push by Dhoni toward the end was marked in that it thoroughly entertaining the crowd, as well as elevated the Indian score to a substantial 289/7. He was particularly severe on the spin bowling and was never shy of displaying his range of explosive strokeplay.

In response, the home team rarely ventured away from the underwhelming. Though the first ball of the innings went for four, the Jamaicans were strangled by accurate and impressive bowling. Munaf Patel and VRV Singh operated with good pace and bounce, whilst the batsmen struggled to find any form and impetus in the chase.

Tamar Lambert’s 33 was the top score of the innings, and Test players Wavell Hinds (12) and Donavan Pagon (4) failed to impact significantly. Fellow international, Daren Powell clobbered two sixes to energize the crowd toward the end, but they served merely as showpieces in a one-sided contest.

A productive day at the office, as India sent nine to the bowling crease and seven were rewarded with at least one wicket.

India 289-7 (50 overs)
Suresh Raina 50, Mohammed Kaif/Mahendra Singh Dhoni 49
Andrew Richardson 3-47, Daren Powell 2-53

Jamaica 173 all out (45 overs)
Tamar Lambert 33, Daren Powell 24
Munaf Patel 3-30

India won by 116 runs.

Cricket Web’s Man of the Match: Mahendra Singh Dhoni – 49 runs; 1 catch