Captain's Log: Good Start Essential (29 November 1998)

29 November 1998

Captain's Log: Good Start Essential

By Brian Lara

JOHANNESBURG - This pitch reminds me so much of the Queen's Park Oval: a bit of grass, very slow and low, cracks widening and an assurance of deterioration as the match enters the fourth and fifth day.

There are 210 overs left, that is, if there are no further interruptions on the last two days.

The South African Captain started very defensively in our second innings, which I thought would give our batsmen the confidence to strike the ball freely and accumulate runs easily.

When the rains came I thought it robbed us of taking a firm grip on the game.

Today, we are going to have to start very carefully to ensure that there is not an early collapse. Once we bat for three sessions, I'm sure it is going to be an enthralling last day.

Carl Hooper's injury was a main blow to my decision to bat first. He was unable to play his innings as planned even though at times, despite his injured groin, he looked ominous.

His absence in the field proved how vital his all-round ability is to the team. Having the services of four frontline bowlers on such a placid pitch was not sufficient.

Carl's not taking the field at all during the South African innings means that he has to wait the duration of their innings or bat at No. 7, whichever comes first.

He is hoping for more rest on the fourth day with a view to making an impact with the ball in the South African second innings.

Of course, the high point of the match so far was Courtney Walsh's unprecedented achievement of surpassing our coach Malcolm Marshall's tally of wickets, 376, and going on to record 379, the most wickets in Tests by a West Indian.

Congratulations poured in and somehow I sense that Courtney has already reset his goals towards breaking the world record of Test victims held by Kapil Dev.

It's hard to refer to Courtney as being in the twilight of his career when his bowling prowess is still that of a young player.

For someone who had to handle the disappointment of being left out of a West Indies team on many occasions, this makes his accomplishment even more impressive.

It also serves as a great example of what can be achieved by someone having a strong mental attitude and unsurpassable commitment to West Indies Cricket.

Malcolm, though relinquishing the record, was very proud of his former team-mate. The manager, Clive Lloyd, expressed his happiness to experience both the start of Courtney's career and now his great achievement.

What is of great significance is how both Malcolm and Courtney avoided injuries to reach such heights, and for Courtney, the 400 marker is definitely in sight.

It would be excellent to get there on this tour.

Go for it, Courtney!

Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)