Twitter Reactions: Brooks, Chase and Cornwall tighten screws on Afghanistan

It’s only the second day of the one-off Test in Lucknow and the West Indies are already on the threshold of a victory. On a track at the Ekana Stadium where the spinners have dominated, Afghanistan have looked rusty, especially with the bat. At the close of play on Day 2, Rashid Khan’s Afghanistan are leading by a mere 19 runs with three wickets left in their second innings.

Brooks milks the Afghanistan attack

With the Caribbean team trailing by 119 runs, John Campbell (55) and Shamarh Brooks (111) carried on the good work and put on 72 runs. Amir Hamza gave the hosts their first wicket of the day, removing Campbell. Rashid and Zahir Khan came to the party and pinned Shimron Hetmyer and Roston Chase respectively. When the fifth wicket went down, the visitors were behind by 30 runs.

Shane Dowrich (42) and Brooks then restored sanity back with a 74-run stand that also helped the West Indies gain back the ascendancy. With the Afghans in dire need of a wicket, Zahir trapped Dowrich in front after which the lower order couldn’t survive for long. Brooks got to his first Test ton off 198 balls. For the home team, left-arm spinner Hamza was the standout with a five-wicket haul.

Cornwall and Chase step up

The West Indies were bowled out for 277, but not before them getting a lead of 90 runs. The Afghans made a determined start, courtesy a 53-run opening stand between Ibrahim Zadran (23) and Javed Ahmadi (62). But, their joy didn’t last long as they were reduced to 59/4 in a space of 19 balls. Ihsanullah perished to a run-out after Ahmadi sold him down the river in a horrendous mix-up.

Rahkeem Cornwall didn’t allow Rahmat Shah and Asghar Afghan to open their account. Ahmadi and Nasir Jamal (15) put their heads down for a 37-run stand, but Roston Chase got rid of the latter. The move to promote Hamza didn’t work as he became Chase’s second victim. The body blow came in the form of Ahmadi’s dismissal. Chase removed him to further push the Afghans on the backfoot.

Here is how Twitterati reacted on the day’s play

Rahkeem Cornwall has ten wickets in this test match already. Great going big man. #AFGvWI

— Thompson Magawana's homeboy (@hlubizer) November 28, 2019

Rahkeem Cornwall today became the first West Indian spinner to claim a ten wicket haul in a Test match in the subcontinent!#AfgvWI

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 28, 2019

Rahkeem Cornwall getting 10 is good, but did it really 'count' if Jermaine Blackwood didn't play? #AFGvWI

— Nick (@nickcricket) November 28, 2019

A dream bowling spell from Rahkeem Cornwall. #AFGvWI pic.twitter.com/YLuyMFhyFb

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) November 28, 2019

From 53-0 to 109-7, brilliant come back by West Indies with two spinners leading the chart for visitors. Three wickets each for Cornwall and Chase. #AFGvWI

— Johns (@CricCrazyJohns) November 28, 2019

🇦🇫vs🏝 Match Summary#AFGvWI pic.twitter.com/aUVXcxe6jZ

— 🌸ᎦᏘᎠII🌸 (@CricWorld96) November 28, 2019

Full Fire In Full Match From @Rahkeem01 I think 10 Wickets In Match And Only 2.2 Days Game #AFGvWI

— Rahul Kumar (@ImRahulK96) November 28, 2019

Probably the end of any of hopes for Afghanistan putting up a defendable score, in fact, the match is probably not likely to make it past lunch tomorrow. #AFGvWI https://t.co/OoZ377Cu2d

— Pirate Badshah | Docked in Dublin (@99Ijsbrand) November 28, 2019

Rahkeem Cornwall today became the first West Indian spinner to claim a ten wicket haul in a Test match in the subcontinent!#AfgvWI

— ravi singh (@Imravi_singh07) November 28, 2019

Afghanistan #Cricket team demonstrate their generosity by giving away their wickets to West Indies. #AFGvWI

— Hameed (@SheikhThingsUp) November 28, 2019

If WI had a quality second spinner in this game or even used Chase more, Afghanistan would have been routed. Not that they aren't at this point #AFGvWI

— Hari Sadanandan (@iamharry_88) November 28, 2019