Despite defeat, West Indies bowlers lead the way with the bat

Tourists India completed a four-day victory over the West Indies at Sabina Park on Thursday, finishing off a 63 run victory shortly after lunch. It was always going to be an extremely difficult task for the Windies to win the game from the position they were in, but their batsmen gave the local crowd something to cheer, putting in a brave display that had India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni scratching his head.

Three wickets down at the start of Thursday, the hosts needed a further 195 runs to win, and fought well on a deteriorating pitch through Shiv Chanderpaul and Darren Bravo. Both were soon out not long after, and it looked ominous for West Indies as birthday boy Carlton Baugh followed them back to the pavilion. But skipper Darren Sammy was determined to fight, and surprised all in the stadium by blasting three consecutive sixes over the long on boundary. This quick-fire approach was never going to last very long however, and as Sammy was dismissed for 25, spectators resigned themselves to an early lunch, and a heavy defeat.

However, tail-enders Ravi Rampaul, Fidel Edwards and Devendra Bishoo continued their leader’s resistance, each contributing runs to briefly raise hopes of an unlikely victory. Sadly, it was not to be for the Windies, but they can take plenty of positives into the two remaining Tests of the tour, the next beginning on Tuesday in Bridgetown. This spirited tail-end batting certainly falls into that category, and the team competed valiantly against the number one ranked nation in Test cricket.

West Indies showed glimpses of top quality cricket throughout the Test, but once again, the problem of consistency that has blighted them for years cost them dear. If the established batsmen in the team can follow the lead of their tail-end teammates however, India will have two very difficult Tests ahead.