Redemption time (5 March 1999)

5 March 1999

Redemption time

Tony Becca

PORT OF SPAIN - THE first Test between the West Indies and Australia opens at Queens Park Oval today and, after the 5-0 drubbing in South Africa, the Windies, once the undisputed champions, are under pressure to prove their worth.

As it was in 1976 when they took on India at home and beat them after losing 1-5 to Australia in Australia, this is redemption time, and as it is here in the twin-island republic, cricket fans around the region are praying that their beloved West Indies will be able to rise to the occasion and signal the start of a new day as they did 13 years ago.

In 1976, however, the West Indies, blessed with some young talented batsmen and bowlers, plus a captain who enjoyed the confidence of all, were at their best, they were up against a team below their ranking and they were expected to win.

This time, especially with batsmen Carl Hooper and Shivnarine Chanderpaul out of action, the West Indies are not only not at their best, but they are also up against the world's best who are red-hot favourites to win, not only the opening Test but also the four-match series.

"South Africa is behind us, we have to move on and I believe we can do it," said captain Brian Lara on Monday when the 15-man squad put together for the first step in the renaissance was announced.

Not many, however, believe that is possible - not unless Lara, as the leader, changes his spots, not unless he returns as a batsman to his prolific best, not unless veteran fast bowlers Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh are fit enough to last and not unless the big three can inspire their colleagues to rise above expectations.

Another reason why not many believe the West Indies, regardless of Lara's confidence, can do it is because Australia do not only possess batsmen of class in Michael Slater, Mark Waugh and Steve Waugh, others like Matthew Elliott, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting and Greg Blewett, and a fighter in wicketkeeper/batsman Ian Healy, but also because they boast a super attack led by pacer Glen McGrath and legspinners Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill.

Faith, it is said, can, however, move mountains and who is to tell, if the left-handed Lara, who is reportedly still suffering from an injured right wrist and despite his experiences in Australia in 1996-97, can dominate McGrath and Warne, if Ambrose and Walsh can slice off the top of Australia's batting and leave them trembling, the West Indies, even if they do not win, may do enough to win back some lost pride.

Rain has never been cricket's friend and out-of-season showers pelted Port of Spain on Tuesday and again yesterday. The weather, however, may well be a blessing for a West Indies team which needs all the help it can get.

The pitch was covered all day yesterday and not one of the hundreds of spectators who were on hand got even a peep at it. According to the hometown experts who have been watching it over the past week, however, there is some grass on it - enough to make the ball seam about and, if that is so, with the constant rain of the past few days, it could be difficult for batsmen - especially in the first few hours of play.

The toss, therefore, could be important to the West Indies. It could be a gift from God if they win it, it could lessen the odds - probably even give them a chance to win the match and, according to inside sources, the Windies are praying that they do so.

Slater, the Waugh twins, Langer and company are good - no question about that. They could, however, be cut down to size by Ambrose and Walsh, Mervyn Dillon and the left-handed newcomer Pedro Collins - especially if the experts are right about the pitch and the Windies pacers get first use of it.

Source :: The Jamaica Gleaner (https://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/)