Down under no longer (17 March 1999)

17 March 1999

Down under no longer

Craig Cozier in Kingston

West Indies' series-levelling victory over Australia on Tuesday has brought confidence back to the team, captain Brian Lara said.

"We've gained the confidence that we needed," he said.

West Indies formalised their ten-wicket victory early on the fourth day of the match at Sabina Park.

"That was something that we were lacking for the last five or six months in West Indies cricket."

The once-powerful West Indies had lost an unprecedented six straight Tests, including a 5-0 sweep in South Africa and a humiliating loss in the opening match in Trinidad where they were dismissed for 51, their lowest ever score in 71 years of Test cricket.

"We worked really hard; most importantly, we had to put that 51-runs total behind us," Lara said.

"We worked a lot mentally. We got the guys together and worked on their confidence and it really paid off in this particular match."

The 29-year-old Lara, under pressure after being named captain for a probationary period of two Tests, is hopeful the victory can lead to a turnaround of his team's fortunes.

"Everyone is hurting and everyone wants to come together and see how best we can get out of the rut," Lara said. "Today, I hope, is the start of better things to come."

But he warned there was a lot to do.

"I would love this win to be the turning point, but I think we've got to be cautious when coming to the Australians.

"They are very capable of bouncing back and they are a team that is accustomed to winning. They're not going to let up easily."

Lara, who went 15 Tests and almost two years without a century, answered with one of the best Test innings of all time, one that turned the game on its head after Australia had dominated the opening exchanges.

The Trinidadian left-hander, who holds the highest Test and first-class scores, made a breathtaking 213 which piloted the West Indies from 34 for four to 431 all out, a lead of 175 that proved to be match-winning.

"I think it can go down as the most important innings (of my career)," Lara said. "That second day was very important for West Indies cricket. We've been through a disastrous time."

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