West Indies need to show more fight

Ramnaresh Sarwan

The West Indies players will need to show their mettle if they are to get out of the current dire situation in which they have gotten themselves in, less than two days into the third and final Test against South Africa.

As I write this diary, South Africa are already moving in for the kill in Durban, having built up a lead of more than 250 runs over the Windies, who were dismissed for a meagre 139 just after lunch on the opening day. I was very shocked to see what happened to my team-mates when I woke up yesterday morning.

By the time I tuned in, South Africa were batting and were looking to score, I thought that rain must have fallen and that the match therefore started late. I had no idea that we had batted and done so poorly. It was definitely not the start we needed in any bid to try and force a victory. As it stands now, it will require sterling fight-back if we are even to draw the game.

From what I observed, it’s evident that Chris (Gayle) not being there is a huge factor, both from a batting and leadership perspective. His presence out in the middle is always ominous for the opposition and South Africa would view his injury-induced absence as a great advantage.

The guys have to put what’s happened so far behind them and try and stay as mentally strong as possible. The bowlers need to get the ball in the right areas and create chances. The execution of the Windies game an, at this stage, will be critical. We must revert to how we played in Port Elizabeth where we took the a 1-0 series lead. Once we do that – and stay patient – we should be able to get wickets. It will still be a long way back though and our batsmen, whenever they embark on the second innings, will face a mammoth assignment. However, they can take heart from knowing that this is the stuff of which potentially epic Test matches are made.

Meanwhile, I will be busy on the field myself, starting today as I lead Guyana in the second round of the Carib Beer Cricket Series against Barbados.

Having lost our first match by nine wickets to Trinidad & Tobago – and a resurgent Brian Lara – we cannot afford to leave Kensington Oval without any points, even if only first innings points. I was disappointed that we were beaten but personally I was happy with how I played, getting among the runs with 63 and 105 not out in my two turns at the crease. I experienced some soreness in my right ankle, which has had me on the sidelines since last October, and I was a bit concerned. However, it appears to be improving and I just need to be careful and not put too much pressure on it.

I was a little nervous when I initially took my guard at Queen’s Park Oval but, once I got off the mark, everything fell into place. I concentrated on doing the basics correctly and playing myself into form. In the second innings, I was also mindful of the fact that my team was in a bad position and – with wickets falling around me – I had to remain calm and be somewhat cautious in my approach. However, when a ball was there to be hit, I picked my spot and struck it.

My century came off 130 balls, which is fairly fast, and this has boosted my confidence ahead of this weekend’s encounter. Barbados is always a very competitive team, especially at home. They are strong in bowling and batting and we must be able to match their effort if we are to come away with anything and remain in contention for the regional championship.