ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – West Indies batting star Shivnarine Chanderpaul is prepared to fight with his trademark determination to deny England a victory in the second Test at the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) on todayxs last day.

The tourists ended yesterdayxs fourth day in a commanding position as West Indies – set a very daunting 503 runs to win – are under pressure on 143 for three.

Chanderpaul (18) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (47) staged an unbroken stand of 47 that the Windies hope will be a platform to rally the Caribbean side against the odds.

xWexve got to bat to save this game, we have to bat as long as we can and try to keep them out,x Chanderpaul said at the end of play.

The West Indies’ hopes of retaining their 1-0 series lead — after their efficient win at Sabina Park – were rocked late yesterday afternoon when they dipped to 96 for three after losing captain Chris Gayle (46), Devon Smith (21) and Ryan Hinds (6).

The pitch condition on the last day is not expected to favour West Indies but Chanderpaul is urging the West Indies batsmen to focus on their approach and battle to the end.

xThe wicket is still up and down a little bit, but itxs not that bad, we will just have just to keep fighting. We just have to apply ourselves and fight hard,x added the 34-year-old left-hander.

The situation of the game conjures up memories of 2003 here at the ARG when Chanderpaul and Sarwan superbly struck centuries and propelled West Indies a famous win over the worldxs best team, Australia.

They compiled a world-record 418 for seven to beat Australia then and Chanderpaul stayed away from juxtaposing the two situations.

xItxs a huge total, I donxt know what can happen tomorrow, cricket is a funny game anything can happen, get a partnership going and wexll see what happens,x he said.

Chanderpaul, who copped the ICC International Cricketer of the Year award last year September on the back of tremendous batting performances, is also looking for a big score to rebound from his two failures in the series so far – 20 in the first Test and one in the first innings here.

His innings today could sway the result of the game and he hopes his form will return now when the team needs it.

Hopefully, you just have to keep fighting, will be times when you are not going to get runs and you just have to go out there remember the basics and keep fighting as hard as you can,x said Chanderpaul.