HOOPER DOUBLE TON TAKES WINDIES TO IMPOSING SCORE
When Mark Butcher played his matchwinning knock at Headingly against the Aussies in the last Ashes series he confessed that some coffee and a few cigarettes constituted his nourishment in the lunch break. One doesn’t know what Hooper’s and Chanderpaul’s dietary habits were – but it certainly did them a world of good. The pair took West Indies through to 454 even as Chanderpaul fell minutes before tea. Hooper’s maiden double-ton was the highlight of the day.
A brief respite for the Indians came just after the lunch break when a slight drizzle held up play. Their prayers to the rain Gods however, need to be more strenuous if they are to have any impact on the game.
Almost two sessions of very sensible cricket from Hooper and Chanderpaul build a fabulous platform from which a genuine assault can be launched. In all likelihood, that will come after tea, allowing the West Indies to declare and making India play out a few uncomfortable overs.
Hooper became so entrenched that Indian shoulders drooped and never really recovered. Surpassing his previous career best of 178 not out against Pakistan at St. John’s, Antigua in 1993, Hooper was unbeaten on 203 (364 balls, 27 fours, 1 six) when Tea was taken.
Chanderpaul, who followed Hooper’s footsteps in reaching a century at his home ground, was not far behind. After reaching 140 (290 balls, 23 fours) a tired Chanderpaul was trapped lbw by Zaheer Khan. Not before he overtook his previous Test best of 137 not out, however.
The pair added a mammoth 293 for the fifth wicket, sending records of various sorts tumbling. But records will not be on the minds of the Indians. A massive score to chase beckons at the beginning of a series. The going looks tough already.
