Windies debutant Lawson thrilled with big scalps

Chennai, October 18: Young West Indies fast bowler Jermaine Lawson was on cloud nine on Friday after scalping two of the world's best batsmen on his debut in the second Test against India.

The 20-year-old Jamaican bowled both the top duo of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid to shine in a spirited fightback by West Indies on day two.

"Getting the two top batsmen in the Indian team as my first two test wickets is a dream stat (statistic) for me," a thrilled Lawson told Reuters after the day's play.

Lawson and pace spearhead Mervyn Dillon, who struck twice in two successive deliveries, reduced India to 190 for five at close after West Indies were all out for 167 in their first innings.

"I am happier I made a contribution which has helped the team move into a better position," Lawson said.

"My plan was to build pressure and make the batsmen make the mistake," said the Spanish Town-born player.

"But I know I will have to continue to keep working even harder," he said.

Lawson bowled at a lively pace -- his fastest deliveries touching around 148 kph -- with a vigorous open action and showed he was a quick learner after being hit for runs as he struggled for rhythm.

He conceded 16 runs in his two overs on Thursday and was hit for three fours in one over on the second day as India opener Virender Sehwag punished his waywardness making an aggressive 61.

But Lawson justified skipper Carl Hooper's faith in including him in place of the seasoned Cameron Cuffy alongside debutant off-spinner Gareth Breese to shore up the struggling side.

India are 1-0 up in the three-match series after winning the first test by an innings and 112 runs.

Lawson's improvement on a slow pitch was evident as he removed Dravid during a sharp five-over second spell that cost only eight runs before coming back to claim Tendulkar in a two-over spell giving away only two runs.

He beat Dravid with a delivery which nipped back sharply to bowl him between bat and pad as he attempted a defensive shot to leave India on 134 for two at the tea interval.

Dravid had hoped to match West Indies Everton Weekes's record of scoring centuries in five consecutive test innings, but was left tied with Australia's Jack Fingleton and South Africa's Alan Melville on four.

Tendulkar's dismissal for 43 came late in the day when Lawson followed Hooper's plan to bowl just outside the off-stump to deny quick runs and frustrate the batsman.

The 29-year-old Tendulkar, who became the first player to score 20,000 runs in tests and one-day internationals together, looked subdued and was deceived into playing on from a widish ball which swung in late from outside his off-stump.