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News Letter
Wed May 22 2002
Issue No: 65

West Indies scent victory at the end of fourth day

Few favoured India chasing 403 at Port of Spain in 1976, and few favoured India chasing 408 at Kingston after the West Indies were dismissed for 197 in their second innings. But this Test will not have as happy an ending as the legendary Port of Spain one, it appears. India finished the fourth day on 237 for seven, with every recognised batsman back in the pavilion. Slender glimmers of hope remained when Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly added 93 runs for the fourth wicket, the former seemingly intent on redressing his poor record in the fourth innings. But Pedro Collins made the crucial breakthrough, bowling Tendulkar for 86. Adam Sanford scalped Ganguly and VVS Laxman for 28 and 23 respectively, and that leaves only the formalities to be completed on the final day. Saving this match, and thereby the series, now seems out of India's hands; they can only pray for rain, rain and more rain.

Lara's words a big help to Dillon

He may not be captain any more, but Brian Lara still has a fine cricketing head on his shoulders. Fortunately for the West Indies, that head is still put to good use, as Mervyn Dillon testified after picking his first five-wicket haul in more than four years at Jamaica.

"Brian Lara had a chat with the guys yesterday, and he said a few things that really helped me take a step in the right direction," Dillon said. He also added that Lara's advice would "help all of the guys over the next two days of this crucial Test."

Dillon must have been getting antsy for quite some time now. His last five-wicket haul came in December 1997, when he took 5-111 against Pakistan in Karachi. "Thankfully this one is out of the way," said Dillon. "I've got quite a few four-wicket hauls. I was looking to get five here, and things worked out for me."

"I've been working very hard," continued Dillon. "There is a lot of pressure on me being the senior fast bowler in the team. I have been bowling a lot more consistently."

"The 100-wicket-mark is in the pipeline," said Dillon. "That is going to happen. I just hope it's sooner rather than later. But my concern right now is to try to get India out again."

Speaking before the Indians started their run-chase, Dillon was optimistic of the West Indies' chances – rightly, as it turned out. "I'm quite happy with the position on the board right now," Dillon said. "We've got the runs and they've got to go out and get them. I think, if we bowl well, we will go out there and win the series."

Collymore, Breese included in West Indies one-day squad

All-rounder Gareth Breese and fast-bowler Corey Collymore have been included in a 13-member West Indian squad for the first two one-dayers against India. They replace paceman Adam Sanford and leg-spinner Dinanath Ramnarine, both members of the squad that has been doing duty against India over the last month and a half. Ramnarine did not play any Tests, while Sanford was in the eleven for all five Tests. Collymore rides into the squad on the back of an eight-wicket haul for his local club in Barbados on Sunday. Breese had some good Busta Cup performances earlier this year, and the former under-19 captain will be making his one-day debut if he gets to play.

Squad: Carl Hooper (captain), Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ridley Jacobs (wicketkeeper), Gareth Breese, Ryan Hinds, Mervyn Dillon, Pedro Collins, Cameron Cuffy, Corey Collymore

  • Abhilash Mudaliar dubs the Indian team unprofessional. Do you disagree? Send in your own views to "The Writer in You." Click Here
  • Traipse down Memory Lane with seasoned cricket journalist Partab Ramchand and our "Nostalgia" feature. Click Here
  • Get all your cricketing questions answered. Just Ask Philip. Click Here

A member of the famous Indian spinning quartet, Erapalli Prasanna was born on this day in 1940. One of the finest off-spinners the world, let alone India, has ever seen, Pras, as he is affectionately called, went on to scalp 189 wickets in 49 Tests by constantly going on the attack and luring batsmen to their doom.

The die, it appears, is cast. Tottering feebly at 237 for seven, the Indians have about as much chance of surviving the final day as a snowball in hell. The series, however, has been packed with excitement, and perhaps the weather gods may throw in a thunder-shower or two to spice up the last three sessions. And of course, there is always the one-day series to look forward to. So don't stray too far away from CricInfo - the action continues unabated.

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Sachin Tendulkar
Fighting innings
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Who was the first Indian wicket-keeper to score an away hundred?

Previous Question

How many Tests have India won at Jamaica?

Answer:None



"Brian Lara had a chat with the guys yesterday and he said a few things that really helped me take a step in the right direction." Mervyn Dillon, on his five-wicket haul

"At least in the first match he will be standing behind the stumps. We just want to see what he can do there." John Wright, on Rahul Dravid keeping wicket in the first one-dayer



"The host bowlers struck correct line and length right away. The Indian seam bowlers who got the advantage of bowling first on a green top missed the opportunity miserably." Murali Sethu


Sachin Tendulkar became the 10th batsman to make 8,000 Test runs during Tuesday's second session in the Jamaica Test.

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