Chase, Blackwood reduce India's lead below 100 at lunch

Roston Chase and Jermaine Blackwood scored contrasting fifties as West Indies produced a tremendous fightback to reduce their second innings deficit to 89 at lunch on the fifth and final day of the second Test match against India at Sabina Park, Jamaica on Wednesday.

The hosts, battling to avoid another ignominious innings defeat in the four-match series, were facing a 256-run deficit before heading into the final day, but Blackwood led the West Indies solid resistance with an attacking 63 off 52 balls while striking a sparking 93-run alliance with Chase for the fifth wicket.

However, Blackwood once again fell prey to off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's shrewd delivery for a second time in the match.

Subsequently, Chase carried the hosts through to the lunch with his unbeaten 74-run stand with Shane Dowrich for the sixth wicket.

Chase, who bagged a five-wicket haul in India's first innings total of 500-9 declared, looked both assured and industrious in his knock and received an able support from Dowrich.

On Tuesday, a tropical storm had limited the fourth day's play to only 15.5 overs, but Indian bowlers within that much time removed West Indies four wickets to maintain their grip over the hosts.