Sport - Cricket

Timely century by Hinds

By Vijay Lokapally

West Indies' Wavell Hinds lofts Harbhajan Singh for a six on way to his century against India on the opening day of the fifth and final Test at Kingston in Jamaica. — Photos: V.V. Krishnan

KINGSTON MAY 19. The Indian bowlers, and the fielders, were a big let down on the opening day even as Javagal Srinath altered the trend, only for a brief while, by packing off Carl Hooper in the sixth over of the second morning of the fifth and final test here on Sunday.

The Indians strayed and were promptly punished by Wavell Hinds, Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan even as skipper Sourav Ganguly fumed and fretted all day, kicking ground and letting his frustration known well in public. The game drifted away from India due to the aimless attack.

The century by Hinds, his second in 22 Tests, was quite refreshing and timely too.

The Indians were guilty of poor overall cricket on Saturday. After an hour on the second day, the Indians managed to restrict the West Indies, which resumed at 287 for four, to 339 for five, the first fetching the home team 52 runs.

Hooper, quite tentative this morning, was dazed by the ball which took off and left him in an embarrassing position as he shaped to draw the bat away. Hooper's clumsy act could only result in a top edge which Rahul Dravid gleefully accepted behind the wicket-keeper.

Hooper had been lucky all through the series, capitalising on early reprieves. He earned one when on ten, Shiv Sundar Das spilling the drive at covers. It was a sitter that Das grassed but fortunately for India Srinath saw to it that the error did not cost much.

But Srinath lost his composure against Ridley Jacobs, who clouted him contemptuously for two audacious strokes — a one-bounce boundary to the sightscreen and then a six to the straight field. The over cost Srinath, the best bowler of the morning, 19 runs.

Hinds, with his delightful century, took a giant leap towards announcing his potential to the cricket world. His century on a lively track at Sabina Park was a thrilling demonstration of attacking batsmanship. The kind which comes so naturally to this left-handed Jamaican who had made a bright start to his career by slamming an aggressive 165 against Pakistan in only his fourth Test two years ago on yet another lively track at Bridgetown.

The 26-year-old proved that proper selection at the right time can mean so much in the fierce world of international cricket. Gary Sobers had advocated this policy which led to this young Jamaican's debut against Zimbabwe in 2000. After that big innings, Hinds could not quite live up to the expectations and struggled to keep his place.

In the three-day match against the Indians at St. Lucia he demonstrated his batting prowess with a positive knock and forced his way into the team. A neat fifty at Antigua was a welcome return to his rightful place and Hinds would have strengthened his position considerably with this brilliant

century.

Hinds has batted in the middle order more often than not but as he said ``opportunity comes in different ways and forms. It was an emergency call and one just had to do it. His elevation to the opener's slot came after the failure of Stuart Williams to make any substantial contribution.

It was Hinds all the way as the West Indies snatched the initiative from India on the opening day. Of course, there were handsome contributions from Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan as well but Hinds was outstanding for his clinical dominance of the attack.

``Nothing special really. Things are going fine for me and I must make the most of it. But I should've hung in there because it would have been a much better position for the team," he said, regretting the shot that presented long-off with a simple catch as he attempted an inside-out drive off an innocuous ball.

Hinds played off-spinner Harbhajan Singh with utmost ease, repeatedly stepping out to greet him with audacious strokes, twice hitting him for 6s apart from sweeping him with disdain. "It wasn't a conscious effort. I wanted to play according to the situation and enjoyed a bit of chipping." It was a very good wicket to bat on. A bit slower than the earlier one though. There was some moisture in it but the bounce was true. The ball was coming on to the bat nicely. The Indians, without any exception, were guilty of giving away too many easy boundaries to the batsmen. Hinds was critical of himself. "I'm very disappointed for myself and the team. I should have hung around and consolidated the position for the team."

On the comeback, Hinds was very forthcoming. " I spent two years sorting out my technique. I know myself, my cricket and was never really worried about the future. I know my work ethics very well and I know very well what to do. I'm slowly getting back but there's lot of work to do."

The other batsman to make a big impression, in keeping with his reputation in the series, was Sarwan. Compact and confident right through the innings, Sarwan has come across the most improved player in either side and this knock was just another exhibition of his ability to adapt and revel in all conditions.

Sarwan drove the ball in front with authority. He cut loose against the seamers when they pitched short too and this positive approach only helped him gather runs with ease in all directions. Setting a field to him was not an enjoyable task as Sarwan picked gaps at will against the tiring bowlers..

The stylish Sarwan, however, was unfortunate to have been judged caught in the leg trap. Support came from Hooper when he remarked "I wasn't sure but from where I was sitting I thought the ball came off the pad. I didn't have the benefit of having a second look. It was unfortunate because he was playing well and felt that a hundred was just around the corner."

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