Suresh Raina gave India their first reason to smile on the tour as he defied the Somerset bowlers with a counterattacking century and shared an 84 run stand with Munaf Patel after the top 9 wickets collapsed for 140. Raina started the day on 30 while India were struggling at 138/8. After the start was delayed due to rain, it didn’t look like India would last long as Sreesanth’s off stump took a beating to become Charl Willoughby’s sixth victim.

Raina's heroics defy Somerset

But the hosts couldn’t sustain the pressure as Raina began to cut loose while Munaf enjoyed the action from the non striker’s end. Short pitch bowling and giving width to Raina didn’t help Somerset’s cause as he flicked and pulled his way to five sixes and fourteen boundaries. He reached his century of 110 balls before the 84 run partnership, which came of 74 balls, was finally over when Munaf Patel was trapped in front by the leggie Max Waller.

Raina, who grabbed his opportunity in the Caribbean, continued the good work as he battles with Yuvraj Singh for the No. 6 spot for the first Test starting at Lords next week. Yuvraj failed to get off the mark in this match and this innings should settle any debate over Raina’s inclusion at Lords. Meanwhile India’s middle order, who got to 300 only once in the Caribbean, needs to settle out its batting problems quick if they are to hang on to the No. 1 Test rankings.

Tags: Cricket, ICC Test Rankings, India, Lords, Munaf Patel, Somerset, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh