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Excited cricket fans went to bed last night anticipating a gripping showdown today at the Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad. The equation is simple: West Indies need exactly 200 runs to complete a target of 232, while South Africa require nine wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the Cable & Wireless Test series.

After another tense and gripping day in which the pendulum swung back and forth, the two teams were locked in an intense battle at the Oval's Golden Test, the second of the series.

Fluctuating fortunes over the first four days have set the stage for a pulsating finish today. West Indies fans taste victory.

Supporters yesterday worked themselves into a frenzy during a sterling West Indies fightback in the evening, led by the sole member of the 500-Test-wicket club, Courtney Walsh, and bookmakers around the world would have relished the tight odds in a match that can produce any of cricket's possible outcomes win, lose, draw, tie.

But can the Windies pull it off?

Two experienced former professionals are saying yes.

"I have recognised a resurgence in West Indies cricket," said Franklyn Stephenson, once a seasoned pro in South Africa and England.

"The guys have done a fantastic job so far and a lot will depend on how well they apply themselves," added Stephenson, who now often works as a radio cricket analyst.

"They have turned the corner and they have a captain who is a team player and experienced enough to look out for his players."

Former Barbados and West Indies fast bowler Wayne Daniel said the West Indies should win once the batsmen don't do anything rash.

"We are going to need a sterling effort from either [Brian] Lara or [Carl] Hooper, but everybody is going to have to chip in," he said.

"The Queen's Park Oval pitch is playing a lot better than it has in the last five or six years and once the batsmen keep on the front foot, they will not have problems."

© The Barbados Nation