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Thursday, Oct 19, 2006
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Lara, Morton to the rescue

G. Viswanath

TEMPTING ONE: Chris Gayle edges Shane Watson to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist at the Brabourne Stadium on Wednesday. — PHOTO: K.R. Deepak

TEMPTING ONE: Chris Gayle edges Shane Watson to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist at the Brabourne Stadium on Wednesday. — PHOTO: K.R. Deepak

Mumbai: Brian Lara was all class at the Brabourne Stadium as the West Indies mustered up sufficient runs for the Australians to face a difficult task under lights in their ICC Champions Trophy clash here on Wednesday.

As if possessing a magic wand, Lara played delicate and sumptuous strokes. It was a thankless effort by Lara (71, 94b, seven 4s, two 6s) coming in after the fall of the fourth wicket. This was the time when Ricky Ponting had employed four seamers and a spinner in Michael Clarke and taken control of the match.

Initially he was slated to come in at No. 4, but had afterthoughts after Dwayne Smith's departure. His entry at No. 6 turned out to be a well-calculated move that paid off for his side struggling to find its bearings.

Bit of daring

Encouraged by the technique, patience and a little bit of daring displayed by Runako Morton (90 not out, 103b, seven 4s, one 6) Lara got into the rescue act. Lara swept Brad Hogg square and fine and Ponting did not care to bring in the left arm spinner after a short spell of three overs. A back cut he struck off Hogg thrilled the crowd that gave a standing ovation when he left the scene. Two sixes, one pulled from outside the off stump off Watson showed the power of his forearms and a flicked six off Brett Lee reflected how well he had picked the line and length.

Unfortunately the spectators were denied an opportunity to see Lara complete a century. The West Indies captain played a couple of thunderous shots before belting Glenn McGrath to Andrew Symonds at cover. With back pain hampering him, Lara decided to throw caution to the wind. It was a courageous act, but the Lara preferred a fit man to strike blows, instead of plodding in the company of Morton.

Strategic changes

Lara had hinted at the possibility of strategic changes, especially in the batting order on the eve of the match. Morton, whose last innings was condemned for his 31 ball zero against Australia in the DLF Cup final in Kuala Lumpur was an unlikely starter. But dehydration because of food poisoning left Shivnaraine Chanderpaul in the dressing room and a chance for Morton in what was obviously a match of vital importance.

The Australian skipper introduced Lee from the club house end, and chose left arm seamer Nathan Bracken to operate the new ball from the end Sri Lanka's Chaminda Vaas had removed Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan five days ago. Lee managed to swing the ball and extract bounce and bowled an excellent opening spell getting rid of Smith who had off driven him before and cover driven the left armer.

Smooth sailing

It was smooth sailing for the Australians for a little over an over after Wavell Hinds edged to Ponting at second slip, Gayle nicked one to Adam Gilchrist, Smith flicked to Brad Hogg at square leg and Sarwan fell leg before to a delivery that straightened from left arm spinner Clarke. At 63 for four it looked curtains for the West Indies. Sarwan had earlier hammered Watson for two fours.

But Morton decided to play the sheet anchor's role to near perfection for 19 minutes short of three hours. Lara and Morton added 137 off 176 balls that lifted the West Indies from a precarious position to a fighting total.

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