Expect a run-fest

A lowdown on Antigua, the venue of the first Test between West Indies and India

01-Jun-2006

Brian Lara: two scores of more than 350, and an average of almost 86 in Antigua © Getty Images

Since the last tour by India in 2001-02, West Indies' home record has taken a beating: apart from their win against Bangladesh in 2004, they have only won one other series in six attempts, beating Sri Lanka 1-0. During this period, they have lost to New Zealand, Australia, England and South Africa, and drawn against Pakistan. (Click here for West Indies' series record at home since 2000.) The Indians have only won three matches out of 38 in the West Indies - all of them in Trinidad. All three West Indies-India Tests in Antigua have ended in draws.

The Indian think-tank has been pondering over the idea of going into the match with both Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, but neither will be too pleased with the following stats: in six Tests since 2000, spinners have averaged 56.60 runs per wicket, with a strike every 126 balls. The seamers have fared slightly better during this period, averaging 39.52 at a strike rate of 13.5 overs.

Here's further proof of just how batsman-friendly the pitch at St John's is: since 1980, only one venue has fetched more runs per wicket than Antigua - in Guyana teams average 38.75 per wicket, marginally higher than the stat for Antigua. Also, there have been 53 centuries scored in 20 Tests, while the bowlers have only managed 15 five-fors.

Venues with highest runs per wicket since 1980
Venue	Matches	Draws	Runs per wicket
Guyana	14	9	38.75
Antigua	20	10	38.21
Chennai	16	7	37.17
Kolkata	14	6	36.15
Old Trafford	21	11	35.99

The Indians have managed to draw on all three occasions, but the last time they played here, in 2002, West Indies' bowlers had them in a bit of bother at 257 for 6 in the first innings, before VVS Laxman and Ajay Ratra bailed them out with hundreds.

Most West Indian batsmen have enjoyed it in Antigua, but one player has relished it more than the others: Brian Lara has a highest score here of 400 not out, a second-highest of 375, and averages a phenomenal 85.89 from 13 Tests.

Lara has a tremendous record in Antigua, but the support cast has done pretty well too: Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan all average more than 50 here.

Among the Indian batsmen, only Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman have played in the West Indies, and both have superb records: Dravid has an average of nearly 64 from ten matches, while Laxman's numbers are only slightly poorer.

Ramnaresh Sarwan Brian Lara Chris Gayle VVS Laxman Rahul Dravid India West Indies India tour of West Indies

S Rajesh is stats editor of Cricinfo