Sarwan digs in for lonely vigil

Abdul Khan
Sunday 20 October 2002 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The West Indies finally erased their first-innings deficit but still face an uphill task to keep the three-Test series alive against India, leading by 37 runs at stumps on day three of the Second Test.

Trailing by 149 at the start of their second innings, West Indies reached 186 for 4 with Ramnaresh Sarwan not out 62 and Ryan Hinds unbeaten on one, but their captain Carl Hooper will be furious at losing his wicket just five overs before bad light stopped play. Hooper, who was in fine touch with two sixes and three fours in his innings of 46, kept the scoreboard ticking over after Shivnarine Chanderpaul had a rare failure, hitting a Javagal Srinath delivery straight to Harbhajan Singh at midwicket.

Hooper fell in the 52nd over when he attempted to push Anil Kumble through the off-side, gloving a catch to wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel. India would be buoyed to see the back of him as they try to restrict their second innings chase to a minimum on what promises to be a difficult last-day pitch.

Starting the day on 190 for 5, India's tail batted well, with Harbhajan Singh (37) and Javagal Srinath (39) helping the home side reach 316.

Keen to make amends for their dismal first innings of just 167, the tourists made a dreadful start when Chris Gayle hit Javagal Srinath's fourth delivery straight to Anil Kumble at third man.

Sarwan and Wavell Hinds responmded to the crisis with a 96-run partnership before Hinds gifted Sourav Ganguly an easy catch off Harbhajan. Chanderpaul lasted just 11 deliveries and West Indies were rocking at 107 for 3, trailing by 42.

Hooper and Sarwan eventually guided the visitors into the lead, but Sarwa now needs a long innings for the West Indies to have any hope of squaring the series after losing the First Test by an innings and 112 runs.

But with Harbhajan and Kumble in peak form and the West Indies down in confidence, the tourists will do well to extend the Test to a fifth day.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in