BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Captain Veerasammy Permaul and wicketkeeper Devon Thomas both struck cavalier half-centuries as they combined to pull West Indies ‘A’ out of dire straits with a superb eighth-wicket stand on the opening day of the first four-day match against India ‘A’ yesterday.

The pair came together with the home side reeling on 126-7 after India’s bowlers blew away the top order and threatened to run through the middle and lower order on a good batting surface at Kensington Oval.

Permaul demonstrated his maturity with an outstanding knock of 66, while Thomas played some classy strokes in 57, as they added 92 in two hours to propel the hosts to 252 all out at the close.

Pacer Shami Ahmed (3-43) and leg-spinner Rahul Sharma (3-73) finished with three wickets apiece, while new-ball bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up 2-42.

Permaul, known more for his left-arm spin, smashed six fours and two sixes off 94 balls in 142 minutes at the crease while Thomas punched eight fours in an innings spanning 104 balls and 131 minutes.

Earlier, the West Indies had a slow pre-lunch session and went to the break at 43-3. There was a mid-innings revival between Nkrumah Bonner, who made a patient 25 off 94 balls and left-hander Jonathan Carter, whose stroke-filled 35 came off just 47 balls and including seven well-struck boundaries.

India’s bowlers were led by Shami Ahmed who combined with keeper Wriddhiman Saha for all three of his wickets.