‘Can’t really put it into words’ - John Campbell hits first Test century in India

NEW DELHI, India:

West Indies opener John Campbell was lost for words, as he savoured the occasion of scoring his first Test century, on the fourth day of the second cricket Test match against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.

Shai Hope struck his first Test century in eight years as both batsmen played fighting innings in a 177-run partnership to help West Indies score 390 runs in their second innings, after being forced to follow-on.

West Indies scored 248 in their first innings, in reply to India's 518-5 declared, and surrendered a first innings' lead of 270 runs.

In the morning session yesterday, Campbell, 87 overnight, and Hope, resuming on 66, helped to reduce the deficit to 18 by lunch at 252-3.

They put on 177 runs together until Campbell was out lbw to Ravindra Jadeja just before lunch.

'BIG POSITIVE'

"It's a big positive for us," Campbell told reporters. "Having not got the best first innings, we came out in the second innings and batted over 100 overs, so that's a big plus for us.

"We just wanted to bat as long as possible, that was always the plan. We got that start, so we wanted to take it as deep as possible."

Campbell's four-and-a-half hour stand included a dozen boundaries and three sixes.

Campbell told the host broadcasters that the joy of registering his maiden Test hundred was yet to sink in.

"I can't really put it into words right now. Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to describe it.

"We always spoke about it being a good batting track. As a batsman, once you get a start here, it becomes easier. I think I still went for my shots, it was just about being more selective. My shot selection was a lot clearer in this innings. I've always enjoyed playing the sweep. Thankfully, it worked well for me."

BROUGHT UP CENTURY WITH SIX

The Jamaican reached his hundred by clobbering Jadeja for a six.

"Before the ball, I saw him putting mid-on a little bit closer, so I thought, if it's close enough for me, I'm going for it."

Campbell, however, later fell to Jadeja by the lbw route after a miscalculated reverse sweep. He had been having a fair bit of success, and luck playing that same shot.

"At that time I just thought a shot was on. Just a little bit of a miscalculation on my part," he said.

Prior to that, he has successfully reviewed a lbw decision and was on the right side of confident appeals on two other occasions.

"It's a little bit of luck getting the call on my side on those occasions. But definitely I was trying to get a good enough stride to get myself outside the line," he said.

"I never want to get out, but that's the nature of sport," he added.

The Jamaican's second innings knock represented a stark contrast to the first innings, when he had scored 10 runs before getting out in bizarre fashion.

FREAK DISMISSAL

His full-blooded shot cannoned into the helmet grille of B Sai Sudharsan at forward short leg, before neatly dropping into the cupped hands of the fielder trying to evade the ball.

Sudharsan immediately left the ground and spent significant time under medical observation.

"That was a freak of a catch. Honestly, I couldn't have done anything different. I am just thankful I could come back in the second innings and make a big contribution for the team," said Campbell, whose 115 came off 199 balls.

At the end of play on Thursday, India were on the verge of a 2-0 sweep. Needing a paltry 121 for victory, they ended the day on 63 for one, requiring just 58 more runs on Tuesday's fifth and final day.