Cricket: Bumrah five-wicket haul, India thrash Windies in first test

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(Reuters) – Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah took five wickets for seven runs as India recorded their biggest ever away victory by runs, thrashing West Indies by 318 runs in the first test in Antigua on Sunday.

After setting West Indies an unlikely target of 419 for victory on the fourth day, India bowled out the hosts for 100 in their second innings in North Sound.

Bumrah, who took his five wickets in eight overs, rattled through the top order, attacking the stumps relentlessly in a devastating spell.

He made his first breakthrough when he had opener Kraigg Brathwaite caught behind for one in his first over and the result was never in doubt after West Indies were subsequently reduced to 15-5.

Bumrah was ably supported by fellow pace bowler Ishant Sharma, who collected 3-31, completing an eight-wicket match haul.

Tailender Kemar Roach slogged three sixes in one over off spinner Ravindra Jadeja and top-scored for West Indies with 38.

Only a final-wicket partnership of 50 between Roach and Miguel Cummins gave West Indies’ total a slight measure of respectability.

Earlier, Ajinkya Rahane notched his 10th career century, scoring 102, while Hanuma Vihari added 93 before India captain Virat Kohli declared at 347-7.

After destroying West Indies, Bumrah said he had added more variety to his bowling recently.

“I am feeling very good,” he said. “A lot of hard work goes into my delivery. I used to bowl the inswinger earlier, but the more test matches I’ve played, I’ve gotten more confident to bowl the outswinger.”

Kohli backed Bumrah to maintain his place in the test side, saying: “He’ll be a key factor for us as long as the World Test Championship continues.”

While Kohli ponders an embarrassment of selection riches, losing captain Jason Holder lamented another dreadful team batting performance.

“Batting issues to sort, (been) going on for too long,” he said. “Top order not doing well, leaving much for the middle order to do. Wicket was a good wicket, we should’ve batted better.

“Bumrah bowled really well, one of those spells that will dislodge most top-order players. That said, we need to be a lot better as a batting unit.”

The second and final test in the series, which is part of the new World Test Championship, starts in Kingston, Jamaica on Friday.