Five-star show at Oval (17 April 1999)

17 April 1999

Five-star show at Oval

Garth Wattley

They will be playing to a theatre of noise, presumably a full house. That kind of setting should provide just the right atmosphere for a five-star batting performance. And that at least is what the West Indies players will be hoping to deliver today in the Third Cable and Wireless One-day International at the Queen's Park Oval.

Brian Lara's side comes into the third of the best-of-seven series against Steve Waugh and his Australians content with the series tied at 1-1 but anxious to gain the advantage at the bat.

"Our main aim is to get as much batting practice as possible," the captain declared yesterday.

"It's very important that we leave here on top, which means winning the two matches. If we can get on top of the Australians here, then psychologically we will have an advantage in the World Cup."

Lara's concern over the batting was shared by chairman of the West Indies selectors Michael Findlay.

"The batting is not what we want it to be," Findlay told the Express yesterday. "There is still a need for players to apply themselves." That need, while evident when the West Indies survived against less-than-disciplined Aussie batting in St Vincent after they themselves had made just 209, became more pressing in the second match at the New Queen's Park in Grenada.

There, a record Australian score against West Indies-288-anchored by the record fifth-wicket partnership between Darren Lehmann and Michael Bevan-proved too much for a side that failed to pace their innings properly.

"(Shivnarine) Chanderpaul has not got runs yet," FIndlay said, "He has just come off a long period of injury. (Keith) Arthurton also has not played first-class cricket for a long time. Brian is yet to come good in the one-dayers."

Some, however, are coming to grips with the One-day challenge. "It's encouraging to see (Jimmy) Adams and (Sherwin) Campbell doing well," Findlay added. "And (Phil) Simmons I think is coming back into his own. The confidence is coming back."

All the batsmen will get another chance to put things right today. The same eleven that played in Grenada-with the exception of wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs-should take to the field.

Jacobs, who missed the first two matches of this series because of the broken nose he suffered in the final Test match in Antigua, returns today in place of fastbowler Reon King.

However Lara, a little under the weather, is also still favouring his damaged right wrist and would be grateful for some time to recuperate. "As much rest as possible is necessary. Because of the lack of rest, it has not been able to heal as quickly as expected," he said.

But should the skipper stride out to the middle as expected, he will encounter a flat pitch that, in his own words, "looks very good. It should be a pretty good batting track."

Good track or not, however, Lara and company will likely have to negotiate Glenn Mc Grath for the first time in the ODIs.

The Aussie pace spearhead is expected to come in for Paul Reiffel while another durable Australian allrounder, Tom Moody, will get his first game on the Caribbean this tour, ahead of Brendon Julian.

The prospect of Lara renewing his duel with McGrath, even for a limited time, should further whet the appetite of the festive Oval crowd.

This is the second consecutive pre-sold match in this series. And it marks the start of a bumper weekend of cricket that continues with the Fourth ODI tomorrow.

It should be a special scene, one the patrons will be hoping inspires their maroon flannelled knights to wield the willow in style.

West Indies - Brian Lara (Capt), Sherwin Campbell, Stuart Williams, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Carl Hooper, Phil Simmons, Jimmy Adams, Ridley Jacobs, Hendy Bryan, Curtly Ambrose, Keith Arthurton, (12th man) Mervyn Dillon.

Australia - Steve Waugh (Capt), Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martyn, Darren Lehmann, Michael Bevan, Tom Moody, Shane Lee, Shane Warne, Damien Fleming, Glenn McGrath.

Source :: The Trinidad Express (https://www.trinidad.net/express/)