Date-stamped : 25 Dec94 - 18:26 Prolific Adams keeps record intact for Walsh By D. J. Rutnagur The West Indies long ago exposed the myth that they are prone to buckle under adversity. Therefore, their recovery from 1-0 down to square the series with India was not in itself a remarkable feat. But their victory in the third Test here on Wednesday will be prominent in West Indian cricket history because it was achieved by a side who were well below full strength. Further- more, the party had the odds stacked against them in a harsh tour itinerary which involved arduous journeys and gave them no oppor- tunity to prepare for the Test series. The first two Tests, at Bombay and Nagpur, were played on pitches quite unsuitable for Test cricket. West Indies, in the throes of rebuilding, overcame these handicaps largely because winning has become a habit with them since they regrouped at the end of the Packer era, in the late 1970s. Losing is anathema to them, which is why they struck back so vigorously at India, who overwhelmed them in the first Test and had the better of the draw in the second. As Courtney Walsh, their captain, said: "I've never been on the losing side and it would have hurt me all my life if I had become the first West Indies captain to lose a series in 15 years." For West In- dies' late resurgence, Walsh owed much to his fellow Jamaican, Jimmy Adams, whose gentle and self-effacing demeanour conceals a steely character and a philosophical mind. Adams amassed 520 runs, a remarkable achievement in a short series. Reflecting on his triumph, Adams said: "There was no point feeling sorry for one's self because of the bad touring conditions and the poor wickets. Instead of counting the days to the end, I thought I must make the most of them and devise a technique to cope with the strange pitches. "The way I batted in Bombay and Nagpur, us- ing my pads so much, was not entertaining. But it was the only way. When we struck on a pitch at Chandigarh that was like a Caribbean wicket, I batted like a true Caribbean batsman." While the declaration was being set up, Adams scored 78 not out, off 84 balls, against a very defensive field. Adams's outstanding form, indeed, has lifted him to the top of the Coopers and Lybrand bat- ting ratings, replacing Sachin Tendulkar. West Indies have a hec- tic schedule ahead in the next nine months. Two Tests in New Zea- land will be followed by four against Australia at home. Directly afterwards, they arrive in England for a tour including six Tests. The magnificent Chandigarh victory will doubtless fortify them for the battles ahead. Thanks :: The Daily Telegraph Contributed by vicky (vigneswa@risky.ecs.umass.edu)