Patience - Tha's the Windies way

Dr. Rudi Webster has a simple message for the West Indies ahead of what could be a fascinating finish to an already absorbing Test match.

"Any time you are under pressure you become very impatient and impulsive.

"My No. 1 recommendation in a situation like this is to be patient," the team performance consultant said would be his advice for batsmen who are likely to be facing a stern examination.

When stumps were drawn at the end of the fourth day yesterday, Pakistan, on the strength of a double-century opening stand between 18-year-old Imran Nazir and Mohammad Wasim, were 345 for seven, meaning they hold an overall advantage of exactly 200.

Everyone expects an intriguing climax, which Webster is quietly confident can end in the West Indies' favour.

"I think the guys are in the right frame of mind to go out and bat well and get the runs," he said.

"If they get them or not will depend very much on how well they apply themselves."

The basics of batting should be followed in the manner in which Wavell Hinds and Ramnaresh Sarwan did in the first innings.

"The batsmen must concentrate on doing the basic things well, the basics of batting - watching the ball and playing the ball on its merit," he said.

"If they do that, if they watch the ball and see it, and they remain patient, then they will have a very good chance of winning."

Captain Jimmy Adams also spoke with some optimism after a day in which the West Indies could take satisfaction from restricting Pakistan to a mere 92 runs in the last two sessions after 101 were scored briskly in the pre-lunch period.

"It's going to be hard cricket all round, but I think the fellas are up to the challenge," he said.

"We clawed our back today (yesterday). The fellas really stuck to the job. I think we have everything to play for."

One of the reasons for his upbeat nature was as a result of the type of spirit his side has displayed this season.

"We've shown over and over again that we have a fighting spirit, we have a fighting mentality," he said.

"That is a very positive sign and something that has definitely served us well so far."

Adams' uncomplicated left-arm spin was responsible for two Pakistan wickets in the evening session, and the captain was asked if he was worried by the threat of Mushthaq Ahmed's leg-breaks and Saqlain Musthaq's off-spin.

"I don't think worry is the term. We have a lot of respect for the Pakistani attack, but at the end of the day we have batsmen that we are very confident in as well," he said.

"We are very confident in the talent that we have to get a job done."

Adams said the pitch played "pretty well" on the fourth day, but was uncertain how it would behave today.