PHOTO: AP

ON SONG: Virender Sehwag hits a boundary on his way to half-century on the fifth day.

Basseterre: The decisions that hadn't been taken out of Brian Lara's hands in the third Test till the fifth morning had betrayed insecurity. Indeed the West Indies skipper had made a point of saying at every instance that "there is only one side that can win this Test," and had played that way, sacrificing chances to go up 1-0 on the altar of safety.

Whether batting Marlon Samuels at number seven or not showing the initiative to kick on in the first innings (presumably captains do that through messages with gloves or some such) or having a boundary rider to Laxman on the leg-side early, Lara's choices had gone against the grain of the aggressive captain, willing to stake victory on the chance he might fail.

The 37-year-old's timing of the declaration in the second innings could have redeemed him; it didn't entirely. Leaving India 392 to get in 88 overs was neither here nor there. Test batsmen worth their batting salt are expected to play out that many overs; batting time has been India's Achilles heel in recent times — all the more reason to give it more overs to bat.

Lara probably hoped the track would break up — the choice of the heavy roller suggested as much — but in not giving the Indians a target they would chance their arms for, he denied his side a mode of getting the opposition out. Yes, he gave his side an excellent chance of not conceding the fort, but they are two different things.

Uncomfortable

The tactics against Sehwag were obvious: get Collins to attack his ribs with the left-armer's angle. The opener from Delhi looked uncomfortable, fending off, copping one, and in between trying both the hook and the pull. But, he survived, and flourished. Gayle, at first slip, then failed to grasp an edge of an excellent Taylor delivery that cut away just enough to hassle Sehwag.

Meanwhile, Wasim Jafferdid his best to quiet nerves in the dressing room. Beautifully straight-batted, the tall opener took India to lunch, un-breached, in Sehwag's company.

The pair had put on 109 in 26 overs without looking in a hurry, thanks to Sehwag playing excellent cricket strokes that almost always found the gap.

Things changed after lunch. Sehwag was trapped in front first ball of the middle session, and with his departure, the chances of India going for the target grew slim. The pitch kept lower — a couple scooted through — and Lara responded with sparkle, finally, by placing innovative catching positions in front of the wicket, and bringing his other in-fielders closer. Jaffer fell, caught at slip off a waft, for the second time this match after passing 50.

Rahul Dravid looked supremely in control. The captain and V.V.S. Laxman, who played strokes of wristy vintage, over-saw proceedings in the second session with an air of having done it before.

On Sunday, up by 219, West Indies showed the urgency it lacked on the third day, ending with 113 for four off 24 overs.

"We would not have asked them to follow on without a 300 lead," said Lara, who struck two sweet sixes. "Pedro (Collins) went off as well, so we would have only two bowlers if we started then."

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail