WI's 3rd Test rally

The West Indies could take considerable satisfaction from their comeback in the third Test against England. They had endured a difficult month coming into the Test.

The effect of the shock defeat at Lord's in the second Test was obvious in their failures in the triangular One-Day series that followed.

The reliable and consistent Shivnarine Chanderpaul had been eliminated from the Test 'and probably the next as well' by his right forearm injury.

Brian Lara was complaining of a tight hamstring muscle, the back-up bowlers to Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh continued to fall short of expectations and were told as much by Ambrose, and only Wavell Hinds of the young batsmen was among the runs.

This is a team under a new captain and coach with eight players experiencing first-class cricket in England for the first time and dependent on the contributions and guidance of their seniors, notably Ambrose, Walsh and Lara.

Had they not rallied as they did on the third and fourth days, England would have won comfortably and the morale would have been further undermined.

In the end, everyone could say he contributed in some way to the revival.

There are still areas of concern, notably the support for Ambrose and Walsh, but waning confidence has been restored.

Headingley for the fourth Test presents a different challenge, as they should appreciate following their experience of the seamerfriendly pitch in their earlier match against Yorkshire.

They should be ready for it, even if captain Jimmy Adams and coach Roger Harper, in their short time in charge, know to become wary of complacency.