Bowlers learning about being patient in Test cricket - Simmons

Phil Simmons, West Indies' head coach, has said his bowlers have done well to keep India's batsmen quiet on day two of the Sabina Park Test. India, 126 for 1 overnight, went to stumps 358 for 5, with a lead of 162.

"Usually, you average a day to be 270 in Test cricket with 90 full overs and we have restricted them, especially with [KL] Rahul going the way he was and then the skipper [Virat Kohli] later. Restricting them to 230 (232) in 90 (88) overs shows there's improvement from Antigua."

He went on to elaborate on this point, saying his bowlers were learning to be patient.

"I think they learned today what we have been talking about for the last six months, about being patient in Test cricket. And when the wicket isn't assisting like this one, you have to be patient and then the pressure that you build from patience will get you wickets. I think what I have learned that they are listening sometimes. I hope they are listening all the time. They are seeking patience now, they are trying to hold these world-class batsmen [back]."

Midway through the day, the debutant fast bowler Miguel Cummins pulled up after bowling a wide in his 16th over of the innings, and went off the field clutching the back of his thigh. Simmons said Cummins had suffered from cramps, and hoped he would be fit to resume bowling on the third day.

"He had a lot of cramps today," Simmons said. "I can't tell you why because I'm not a doctor. But yeah, we basically played with two quicks today. Hopefully he will be better tomorrow and do his job."

When the second new ball became available, India had a new batsman at the crease in Kohli, but West Indies chose not to take it immediately, instead waiting until the start of the post-tea session, by which time 11 more overs had elapsed.

Asked about this, Simmons' response was terse. "I haven't spoken with the captain, so I don't know."

Jason Holder, the captain, had chosen to bat despite the first-day pitch sporting a fair covering of grass and looking like it was moist underneath. Simmons said he had made the right decision, and the batsmen had failed to do their job.

"Batsmen are supposed to bat," he said. "I didn't think there was any threat in the wicket yesterday. So I would bat first again."

Simmons hoped his bowlers would continue to bowl as they had done on day two.

"The only thing we can do is to come tomorrow again and work hard to get the wickets that we have to. And then the batsmen have got to stand up because the bowlers have stood up today and hopefully they will stand up again tomorrow morning and we get the wickets we need. It's up to the batsmen to stand up now."

Simmons expected India's spinners, who took six wickets in West Indies' first innings, to remain a threat in the second innings as well.

"It's definite," he said. "[R] Ashwin is the No.1 bowler in the word. He is going to be difficult on any wicket you play him on, let alone a wicket that's turning and has some bounce too. It's going to be difficult but that's what Test cricket is about. If it's not difficult it won't be called Test cricket. The batsmen know that they have to come and make sure that they put their heads down and they have to work hard against both spinners."

Rain is forecast on the three remaining days of the match, but Simmons said he wasn't hoping for the weather gods to intervene just yet, and still had some hope that his players could turn the game around.

"I don't think we need them yet," he said. "I will tell you on the fourth day if we need it on fifth day. The wicket is still playing very well so it's up to the batsmen to get their heads down and get some runs."