Can West Indies clinch series?

Ridiculed before the start, West Indies now stand on the verge of completing a shock series win over India, leading 2-1 going into the penultimate match of the five-game series, in Trinidad on Friday.

On paper, India are the far better side but their bowling attack has been wanting and Ramnaresh Sarwan has been showing the kind of form for West Indies that made many tip him for the top when he arrived on the scene several years ago.

A hamstring injury to former skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul means a recall for Wavell Hinds while Sewnarine Chattergoon, a left-handed opener, comes in for Runako Morton, who has struggled.

The addition of Chattergoon means West Indies could have four left-handers in their top six and that could pose problems again for the India seam attack, which has been far from impressive to date.

Given the way they squandered a great position when batting first in St Kitts, India are not functioning at full throttle and they should not be as short as 4/9 (1.57) to win in Trinidad, a ground where West Indies have won 23 of 44 one-day internationals, though only eight of the past 20.

Time for Lara to shine
The Windies have beaten India five times in seven meetings in Port of Spain and if Chris Gayle can repeat his heroics of the first match or if Lara can step up with the kind of innings everyone knows he is capable of then West Indies could win a one-day series against an established side for the first time since they won in India in 2002/03 - their ICC Trophy win in 2004 not withstanding.

Lara, Gayle and Sarwan are all joint favourites to top-score for West Indies at 7/2 (4.50), while Chattergoon is 5/1 (6.00) and Marlon Samuels and Hinds are 6/1 (7.00).

Trinidad, don't forget is Lara's home ground, and the great man will be looking to put on a show so expect something big on Friday, especially as he averages 55 there in one-dayers, compared to his overall average of 41.

For India, captain Dravid and Yuvraj Singh are 3/1 (4.00) while Virender Sehwag is 7/2 (4.50) and Mohammad Kaif is 11/2 (6.50) and Suresh Raina and Robin Uthappa are both 6/1 (7.00).