Date-stamped : 28 May94 - 18:23 Test 4, Kensigton Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados Played on the 8-13 April 1994 (11th was a rest day) ====> Day 3, 10 Apr 94 Defiant Russell : Atherton sees welcome sign of resistance Jack Russell gave some hope and the heroics of Mike Atherton and Alec Stewart some meaning yesterday as he dragged England towards the possibility of safety in the fourth Test in Barbados. In his most important Test innings since the 55 he scored in five hours of defiance here four years ago, which came within a Curtly Ambrose burst of giving England a share of the 1990 series, Russell hauled every ounce of spirit from within his wiry frame to enable them to reach their 350 target which has given them at least a chance of a face-saving draw on which to build for the future. He did so in the midst of the kind of crisis which could have been designed to bring out the kind of single-minded resilience so admired and so required by his captain. From England's overnight position of 299-5, itself a crushing disappointment after the performance of their openers had enabled them to reach 223-1, the best England could hope for was the in- nings from Graeme Hick that would go some way to dispelling all doubts over his place in the grand scheme of things. In the event, Ambrose made sure they got very nearly the worst start they could have feared. After collecting two boundaries from the first three deliveries of the day, Hick fell meekly to the fourth and when Chris Lewis followed him two balls later for nought, the innings was once again reduced to a shambles at 307-7. But Russell managed to squeeze a further 48 runs from the tail so that the spell of 4-16 from 41 balls which Ambrose had unleashed was not quite the act of harrowing destruction it could easily have become. Although, thanks to Russell, England's final total of 355 was substantially their highest of the series, in truth it was only just par for the course, particularly after their excellent start, on a belting pitch surrounded by a lightning outfield and short boundaries. The middle-order collapse that surrendered six wickets for only 84 runs merely served to underline just how far Atherton must still travel in his search for the right stuff. There are those who consider the decision to travel here without an experienced batsman carried an unacceptably high risk. They are missing the point. Although there was a smidgeon of a case for bringing Allan Lamb, once Graham Gooch had made himself una- vailable for this tour, putting faith in youth was no longer a matter of the right choice or the wrong choice; it was the only choice. Those who yearn for the days of Lamb, Gooch and David Gower con- veniently forget that the last time all three embarked on an Eng- land tour together - to Australia in 1990-91 - they were thrashed. When Gooch plumped for the experience of Mike Gatting and John Emburey in India and Sri Lanka last winter, they were humiliated. Furthermore, even before he was forced to endure the sight of Mark Ramprakash, Robin Smith, Hick, Graham Thorpe and Lewis once again disintegrating under pressure, Atherton could point to several opportunities his young team have allowed, criminally, to slip through their grasp. At Sabina Park, for instance, where he and Stewart put on 121 for the first wicket and in reply West Indies slumped to 23-3. In Guyana, where Atherton's 144 should have been the basis for a first innings total from which defeat would have been impossible. And in Trinidad, where three days of excellent work were thrown away by Hick's carelessness in the slips and one of the worst displays of batting ever seen, England have put themselves in a position to dominate proceedings, only to allow themselves to be dominated. No-one could have legislated for the appalling form of Atherton's premier batsman, Robin Smith, whose top score of 84 in Georgetown was a rose among the thorns of 0, 2, 24, 12, 0 and 10. Although their ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory has left even the phlegmatic captain puzzled and bemused, he cer- tainly has not lost his appetite for the fight and whatever hap- pens here and in Antigua next week, he clearly must be allowed to carry on. Atherton is not daft. He understood the possibility that his side would be blown away and he knows he could make things easier for himself in the short term by turning to Gooch for the summer series against New Zealand and South Africa. He should, however - and almost certainly will - resist the temp- tation. If Gooch sticks to his avowed intention not to tour Aus- tralia next winter, all his selection will do is clog up the pro- cess of discovery. What Atherton must do now is keep his nerve, carry on trying to identify those players in whom to continue to place his trust and, having done so, somehow inspire them to develop the mental toughness to deal with the greatest challenges. At least, yesterday, Russell gave him something more to build on. (Thanks : Mail on Sunday, 10 Apr 94, By Peter Hayter) Contributed by Vicky (VIGNESWA@*umass.edu) ====> Day 3, 10 Apr 94 TUFNELL'S CHANCE TO MAKE HIS MARK Phil Tufnell has the chance to wipe away three months of frustra- tion in just a few hours at Kensington Oval. Tufnell's Caribbean tour record is anything but impressive so far. But both manager Keith Fletcher and Middlesex team-mate Angus Fraser are backing the left-arm spinner to play a major part in England's bid for fourth Test victory over West Indies. Tufnell, ignored for the first three matches of this series, has taken only 14 wickets all trip and was a controversial selection in Barbados ahead of leg- spinner Ian Salisbury. But his form is a lot better than the statistics indicate. "I thought Phil bowled really well in the first innings of this Test," said Fraser, who finished with the fabulous figures of eight for 75. "He only got one wicket but his control and accuracy was very important. Their batsmen made mistakes against me but I told him it could easily work out the other way second time around." West Indians hate being tied down - and Tufnell did just that while conceding a mere 76 runs from 32 overs. The plan now is for England to put the opposition under more pressure still by establishing a lead of 400 - leaving Fraser and Co a day and bit to go for glory. "I think Phil could come into his own in their second innings," said Fletcher. "He's not had a lot of luck so far but that can easily change if he keeps bowling well." While Salisbury has potential, Tufnell is a proven Test-winner. He played a big part in the 1991 victory over West Indies at The Oval by taking six first innings wickets for 25. A five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka at Lord's set up anoth- er win and, a few months later, he destroyed New Zealand in Christchurch with figures of seven for 47 - turning a match that was heading for a tame draw. England, of course, must first make sure that West Indies are batted out of this contest. They start the fourth day 222 runs ahead with seven wickets in hand - and hope to be still going strong by tea. Alec Stewart is just 38 runs away from becoming the first England batsman to score centu- ries in both innings of a Test against West Indies. If he can achieve that feat and the rest of the batsmen provide solid sup- port, Tufnell should have ample opportunity to prove Fraser and Fletcher right. (Summarized from a Press Association Report) Contributed by Vicky (VIGNESWA@*umass.edu) ====> Day 4, 12 Apr 94 England set West Indies 446 to win in just over three and a half sessions after they declared on 394-7 after tea in Barbados. Alec Stewart and Graham Thorpe set up the declaration with a superb stand of 150 as they took advantage of a ragged bowling attack. Stewart made a record breaking 143 and Thorpe was finally out for a confident 84. The day had started quietly before Graeme Hick was out but Stewart and Thorpe increased the tempo. Alec Stewart has become the first Englishman to score a century against the West Indies in both innings of a Test match. Stewart achieved the landmark when he drove Curtly Ambrose for four to follow his first innings 118. The Surrey star is only the fourth player to do it after Doug Walters Greg Chappell and Sunil Gavaskar. It is the eighth time an English batsman has made it the last was Graham Gooch who hit 333 and 123 against India in 1990. Contributed by goo-chie (jdw5@*.ukc.ac.uk) ====> Day 4, MORE Day 4 of the fourth test between England and West Indies at the Kensington Oval, Barbados, left England in the driving seat. They declared just after tea, with Stewart having become the first English batsman to achieve a century in both innings of a test v W. Indies. The target set the W. Indies was 445, and they were in trouble at the close. Apart from losing Adams and night-watchman, Kenny Benjamin, Richardson retired hurt with a hamstring injury, and Haynes has a serious injury of the hand from the first innings. West Indies have won their last 12 tests in Barbados, and not lost there in 59 years! Contributed by Chris.Salter (csalter@naic.edu) ====> Day 5, 13 Apr 94 ATHERTON PROVES VITAL IMPORTANCE OF CHARACTER Mike Atherton proved yet again that character is the crucial in- gredient in sporting success by leading England to an improbable and important victory on Wednesday. Before 6,000 delirious English fans, Atherton guided England to a 208-run win over unofficial world champions West Indies in the fourth test, the home team's first loss at Kensington Oval since 1935. "I had no doubts that we would lift our game here," Atherton re- flected. "It was a rarified atmosphere out there this afternoon and our victory rates as a very sweet moment for me." Just one year ago Atherton was not even certain of his test place after being left out in the cold for most of England's unhappy tour of India and Sri Lanka. Picked to open with captain Graham Gooch against Australia, Ath- erton responded by scoring steadily for a losing team. When Gooch decided to step down Atherton, still only 25, was ap- pointed skipper and responded by leading England to victory in the final test at The Oval. His selection as skipper for the West Indies tour was a formality but early optimism turned quickly to dejection as West Indies raced to a 3-0 lead and local supporters saw a repeat of the 1984 and 1986 whitewashes as a mere formality. For England one of the precious few bright spots in three depressing defeats was the form of Atherton himself, particularly his 144 in the second test in Georgetown. By thought and application Atherton, who averaged less than 10 in his only previous series against West Indies three years ago, furnished a batting method designed to foil what is still the world's most feared pace attack. In their accustomed fashion, the West Indies fast bowlers have attacked Atherton in the well-founded belief that demoralising the captain is the key to victory. Atherton has countered with resolute defence from the back foot, an impeccably straight bat and, despite a ferocious assault in the first test from Courtney Walsh, the courage to come back for more. His display here was further evidence of the steel hidden under an unassuming exterior. Atherton showed not a flicker of emotion when Richie Richardon inserted England on a ground where West Indies had won their pre- vious 12 tests, then batted with typical resolution to score 85 in a first wicket partnership of 171 with double centurion Alec Stewart. Characteristically his only reaction on getting out was annoyance at a careless shot and immediately after play finished on the first day Atherton was out on the practice pitch amid curious spectators with Angus Fraser and Phil Tufnell, instructing the Middlesex pair where they should put the ball when England were in the field. Again characteristically Atherton thought beyond the obvious when asked for his reaction to Wednesday's win, England's first over- seas win after seven straight defeats. "I'm happy we won, it sure beats the hell out of losing," Ather- ton said. "But I can't help thinking we could be going to An- tigua for the final test with the series level at 2-2. "Results tend to reflect how well we play and we are 3-1 down. But I can't help thinking we could be going to Antigua for the final test with the series level at 2-2." (Summarized from a Reuter report) Contributed by Vicky (VIGNESWA@*umass.edu)