By Simon Evans
KINGSTON, Feb 5 - Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh
Sarwan's unbeaten 142-run partnership for West Indies against
England on Thursday came as a vital lift for two men shouldered
with the responsibility of taking the fight to the tourists.
Going into Friday's third day of the opening test on 160
for one, the hosts will be hoping the pair can help chase down
England's first innings total of 318.
Skipper Gayle had been without a century for three years
until his 197 in a drawn test against New Zealand in December
and he picked up where he left off with an unbeaten 71 on a
slow track.
Sarwan had a disappointing time in New Zealand, where he
managed just 21 runs in three innings over the two tests, but
appeared to have rediscovered his touch by building a stylish
74 before the close.
Throughout the past year, West Indies have been
over-reliant on the dependable Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who too
often has come in to bat in tricky situations or has been left
without support.
Sarwan and Gayle are regarded as the two other world class
players in the batting line-up and they carried that
responsibility well against a tame England attack.
"When I came back from injury I had two series, against Sri
Lanka and Australia, and I thought I did pretty well," Sarwan
said.
"Unfortunately, I didn't keep up the pace in New Zealand, I
thought I took a bit of a backward step.
"I've had two weeks to reflect on my game after coming back
from New Zealand. I tried to put in a bit of work as well
although I couldn't do much because of the rain.
"I just wanted to start the series really well and
hopefully carry on the same sort of form I've started with
here," he said.
NEW GAYLE
While there is an air of predictability about the little
Guyana right-hander's return to form -- few ever doubted the
lack of runs was but a blip for a man who averages 39.8 in
tests -- there appears to be a more significant change in
Gayle's batting.
In his near double-century in Napier, Gayle batted with the
kind of disciplined responsibility that his critics have
maintained was lacking from his hard-hitting approach which
often saw him dismissed with loose strokes.
The more-careful Gayle was in evidence again on Thursday
and even though he hit three sixes, he was more circumspect in
his shot selection and did not offer a chance throughout his
innings.
Those who have followed his career from youth cricket say
the new Gayle is in fact a return to the way he used to bat
before he was swamped with one-day cricket as part of the West
Indies team.
As with another West Indian left-handed strokemaker, Clive
Lloyd, the added duty of captaincy has brought a more prudent
approach at the crease.
On a slow wicket against an England attack lacking an
obvious threat apart from Andrew Flintoff, Gayle and Sarwan
have a chance to build big hundreds on Friday and give
Chanderpaul the rare luxury of entering the fray with his team
in control of a match.
(Editing by John O'Brien)