2nd Test: West Indies v India at Port-of-Spain, 19-23 Apr 2002 Santhosh S and Anand Vasu |
West Indies 2nd innings:
India 2nd innings: |
The West Indian batsmen had enough of a task on their hands, chasing a three-hundred plus score on a wicket that is fast crumbling. India, reaching West Indies with the hope that this was their best chance for a series win outside the subcontinent, went after the batting with full force.
Javagal Srinath, India’s best bowler so far this Test, peppered openers Chris Gayle and Stuart Williams with a series of deliveries that were well pitched up and threatened to swing. All with no luck till Williams (13) fended one ball to Rahul Dravid at slip, completing a dismal comeback to the West Indian team.
Gayle, in keeping with his character, spanked a couple of deliveries to the fence in cracking fashion. The full face of the bat and a classic Caribbean flow sent the ball racing to the fence. Unbeaten on 21, the southpaw has been the mainstay of the innings so far.
Ramnaresh Sarwan coming in at one drop is the kind of character that can trouble the bowling with his no-nonsense approach. An elegant stroker of the ball, Sarwan struck a perfect square-cut off Harbhajan Singh on the way to 17 not out.
The day began with Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman putting together a meaningful partnership. With flicks off the toes and pulls that rang true, Laxman made a mighty 74 (157 balls, 9 fours) before chopping one from Merv Dillon back onto his stumps. That’s what the new ball did for West Indies.
Ajay Ratra, who made a duck in his first innings, managed to score a couple of runs before being trapped in front by Cameron Cuffy. Off the very next ball Harbhajan Singh tickled an outswinger to the safe hands of Chris Gayle at first slip.
On a hat trick and on song, Cuffy saw Javagal Srinath negotiate four balls before popping a Dillon delivery towards the slip cordon. Stuart Williams took a good diving catch and the stands came alive.
Zaheer Khan, known to strike a few telling blows, was involved in a horrible mix up with the skipper and departed with 4 to his name.
When lunch was taken, Ganguly was unbeaten on 75 (221 balls, 6 fours) as India reached 218/9.
The match is truly on tenterhooks now. No one can say how it will go. Although, it must be said that India are in front, with a lead of 300 plus on a wicket that is fast deteriorating.
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Date-stamped : 23 Apr2002 - 18:41