ROSEAU, Dominica (IANS) West Indies captain Darren Sammy has praised his team for showing a fighting spirit in the third cricket Test against India that ended in a draw.
Sammy and his counterpart Mahendra Singh Dhoni agreed for a draw on day five with India needing 86 runs off minimum 90 balls in their chase of 180.
India looked set for a 2-0 series win at the close of play on day four but Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s unbeaten 116 in the West Indies’ second innings the next morning changed the equation.
However, it was also contributions from debutant batsman Kirk Edwards (110) and a five-wicket haul from speedster Fidel Edwards that helped West Indies get a result that seemed improbable at one stage.
“That’s exactly what the coach and the public have been asking for,” said Sammy.
“Even if we are not winning games, as long as we go and show the fight that we showed in this Test … the batsmen saw how hard the bowlers worked to get the wickets, so that was motivation enough for them to go out and give them some rest and more time in the dressing room.
“The way we batted in the second innings: Shiv, Kirk and even Fidel who faced more than a 100 balls. It was really pleasing to see the fight shown by both the batting and the bowling departments.”
The crowd at Windsor Park gave a standing ovation to the home team for hanging on till the end. Sammy said it was heartening to see the fans supporting them though they eventually lost the series 0-1.
“As you saw, the crowd, who are very understanding, treated the drawn result as a win for us because we got out there and fought.”
Sammy expressed surprise at Dhoni’s decision to call off the match with India being 94 for three and the target looking very much in sight.
‘With 15 overs to go and 86 runs required, and considering the calibre of players they have like Dhoni and guys who can hit the ball, I thought they would give it a go, being one-up.
“But I guess my ploy to have (Devendra) Bishoo bowl in the rough, they didn’t fancy their chances of going after him. I am quite happy with the result. Starting the first innings, with one of our main bowlers Ravi (Rampaul) down, the way the guys stuck at it, we showed a lot of character.
“And the batting came good in the very last innings of the series. It helped us salvage a draw. So, well done to the team,” said Sammy referring to their score of 322 in the second innings.
Let alone his captaincy, Sammy’s place in the side has been under the scanner for some time now. The all-rounder tackled the question this time around by saying that he expected criticism since the time he was appointed the leader.
“My back is broad. I will still come out smiling. You can’t please everyone. The best man who walked the face of the earth never did anything wrong, but he was still crucified. And I am nowhere close to that.
“So I think I am in line for a lot of criticism. It comes with the job.”
Sammy, however, acknowledged that he needs to improve his batting.
“I have got a few options. There’s Desmond, the Sagicor Performance Centre, and I have a coach at home. Dessie has suggested a few things that I can improve and I am working on them: my back-lift and playing across the ball.
“I can go back home, look at ODIs and Tests where I have done well, and take the positives from them.’