1st Test: West Indies v India at Georgetown, 11-15 Apr 2002 CricInfo Live Report

1st Test: West Indies v India at Georgetown, 11-15 Apr 2002
Anand Vasu

India 1st innings: Lunch - Day 3, Tea - Day 3, Stumps - Day 3,
Live Reports from previous days

DRAVID, LAXMAN TAKE INDIA FORWARD
As is often the case when India is abroad, Rahul Dravid is the backbone of stability when several others around him fail the test. Indian fans accustomed to run gluts on flat wickets at home often grow impatient with the Indian vice-captain, but his contribution can hardly be underestimated. A patient, painstaking 57 (182 balls, 9 fours) in the company of a belligerent and intermittently sublime VVS Laxman (46 batting, 91 balls, 7 fours) saw India reach 237/4 when bad light stopped play on the third day.

Laxman is a temperamental sort. Sparkling 30s and 40s flow off his blade like there’s no tomorrow. And just when he looks classy enough for a big score that will set the opposition on the back foot a careless heave or slash sends him on his way. Today though was a bit different. Cutting out several strokes that are usually his strengths an under-pressure Laxman spent time out in the middle. The wristy artistry was there for all to see. The timing and the placement was good enough to beat the field repeatedly.

Dravid has enough reason to feel a bit maligned by sections of the press and fans. His slow and dour play is a source of great anxiety and frustration when the big guns are blazing at home. Away however, there is no substitute for good old-fashioned resistance. And for that Dravid is still rated highly. His contribution on the day cannot be underrated.

So a good beginning has been made. The job however, is far from done. India are still 65 runs from avoiding the follow-on and 264 runs behind overall. That will be on the minds of the visitors when the fourth day’s play begins.

TENDULKAR FALLS AS INDIA STUMBLE ON THIRD DAY
People say the difference between Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara is the fact that the little man from India puts his head down and makes good when the bowling is less than challenging and the wicket lifeless. An unfortunate decision might have put paid to Lara’s hopes but no such thing with Tendulkar. After India lost early wickets the little master got stuck in and made 79 as India reached 144/4 at tea on the third day. Mahendra Nagamootoo however, had the last laugh just before tea.

A ball just short of a length skidded through, kept a touch low and Tendulkar played a pull with the bat passing well over the height of the ball. A wicket created by tight bowling, pure pressure and good old-fashioned Test cricket. Sure, there were some sparkling cover drives and effortless pulls in the course of Tendulkar’s 136-ball innings that included 13 boundaries. All India however, expect more of the little man. Especially when several others fail, or even struggle to get going.

Is such expectation fair? Perhaps not. But that’s the way it is.

Rahul Dravid remained unbeaten on a painstaking 11 off 74 balls. Slow, not completely steady in the face of some clever bowling from Nagamootoo. Yet, Dravid still remains – fighting on.

Earlier, Shiv Sunder Das looked compact and not particularly troubled by the bowling as he dabbed and nudged his way to 33. Nearing a 100-ball stay at the wicket however, Das got himself out in a manner that has frustrated his fans all through his fledgling career. Half-cutting and half-driving away from his body, Das dragged a ball back onto his stumps giving Adam Sanford his first Test wickets.

The going is now tough for India. An under-pressure VVS Laxman will have to come good if India are to post a healthy reply to the West Indian total.

INDIA STUTTER IN THE FACE OF BIG WEST INDIAN SCORE
From 494/7 when Carl Hooper departed, the West Indies slipped to 501 all out. Not unexpected, given the way the West Indies tail has batted in recent international cricket. And, while we’re on the topic of predictable failures, Deep Dasgupta was trapped lbw for a duck by Cuffy while Sourav Ganguly’s mis-hit pull off Merv Dillon landed safely in the hands of Mahendra Nagamootoo before the Indian captain could cross 5. India managed 41/2 at lunch.

The day began, however, with a delay. Wet patches in the outfield meant that play could not start on time. The impending West Indian collapse however was not delayed overly by the rain.

Sanjay Bangar, bowling his mediumpace with a more reasonable field setting on the third day picked up his first Test wicket. Alright, so it was not the greatest batsman in the world. Yet, Bangar would have been pleased as punch when he trapped Dillon in front of the stumps for a duck.

Anil Kumble, who has toiled hard without much direction or result this match, removed debutant Adam Sanford. A low full toss that appeared to be slipping down leg side that rapped the pads was enough to satisfy umpire Asoka de Silva.

A comedy of errors saw last man Cuffy be run out while Nagamootoo remained unbeaten on 15. With 501 on the board the West Indies licked their fingers, took the new ball and bowled at the Indians.

Deep Dasgupta under pressure for his substandard keeping, failed with the bat too, making it difficult for even his supporters to prop him up.

Sourav Ganguly, coming in at one drop played a pull shot that should never have been attempted. The tall Dillon extracted a bit of extra pace off the wicket and a half-hearted pull in the 7th over of the innings ballooned up to backward square leg for Nagamootoo to catch.

Adam Sanford, whose debut was much awaited bowled tidily enough without ruffling too many feathers.

A circumspect Sachin Tendulkar (18 not out) was at the crease with Shiv Sunder Das (7 in 54 balls) when India reached 41/2 at lunch on the third day.