The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Lara should have led by example

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 05, 2006

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Lara should have led by example

Michael Holding

Lara raised a stink about the pitch and conditions when he should have shown composure and the attitude to try and overcome it, writes Michael Holding

There is little doubt that this was a below standard pitch laid out at the centre of Sabina Park for the fourth and final Test. It conducted a serious examination of batsmen's technique. Yet the highest total of the match was made in the fourth innings so probably it was not as bad as it was made out to be.

The lower-order batsmen, through their application, also showed what was possible. But I was disappointed with the attitude of Brian Lara. He raised a stink about the pitch and conditions when he should have shown composure and the attitude to try and overcome it. He should have led by example. Instead, he blew his top and I am not sure if it helped his men.

He is said to be a genius and probably only a genius can affirm the fact. I certainly cannot recognise his captaincy as being very good. At times it does appear that he is trying to reinvent the game.

Good sign

I am still inclined to believe that this West Indian unit has shown improvement. Young cricketers appeared more willing to fight and that is a good sign. Unlike the times when Shivnarine Chanderpaul was at the helm, this one is looking more like a unit. West Indies needs to build on this basic ingredient for progress.

Indians have reasons to feel happy at how they have performed in the series. They deserved to win not by one but two Tests only if the rain had not intervened. This West Indies team, despite its poor record, is not an easy one to beat at home. But it did not deserve to win after making just 103 runs in the first knock of the final Test. India should take a lot of positives from this series.

I guess India did not opt for five bowlers in the series because it was not sure if put together it could raise enough runs. It did not hurt the team in the end.

Also, there must be a bit of disappointment back home over the form of Yuvraj Singh. But he is young and certainly a talented lad. To me it appears that he does not bat in Tests too differently from the way he does in one-dayers. There is certainly talent in him and coach Greg Chappell is competent enough to suggest the areas where he can improve.

This Indian side has many young cricketers who believe in themselves. On a tough tour such as Caribbeans, they also showed they had the mental resolve and physical resilience. If they can keep learning from the examples set by their admirable seniors, they would have a rewarding career ahead of them.

A team man

I must mention Rahul Dravid and two of his knocks, which served his side so well. He is a dedicated team man and it was only fitting that his contribution in his team's win was substantial. He had the will and the technique at his command to prevail over the circumstances. He was a clear choice for individual honours by a long margin. — PTI

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

Sport