We must remember that the West Indies are not accustomed to winning and that the fans all love their team. That is why they pay to watch them play. They pray every night for the West Indies and always wish for the best. We need to remember this because the memories of this West Indies team defying the opposition in the last ten years have been rather nauseating. Like the West Indies Cricket Board who ignore the public views. Like the West Indies Cricket Board that ostracises certain players. Or the coach, who most ex-players do not like. Or the players who are always seen out at night partying, even when the West Indies are losing. I recall all of this, as I watched a few diehard spectators making their way into an almost empty Queens Park Oval, most of whom were concerned with whether or not they would be able to get some more time away from their wives, especially those gluey eyed gentlemen in the Brian Charles Lara pavilion. From the resumption, Australian wanted quick runs, large total, quick West Indian wickets and ultimately another test match victory. The West Indies, at least recognised this, and Sammy plugged one end with Shane Shillingford's consistent spin.
Fidel Edwards finally got into the act with Ricky Ponting's wicket and soon after, it was the turn of Sammy to also snare his first scalp. His opposite number was confused and choked into mistiming his drive straight back to the bowler, who accepted gleefully. With half their team gone for 95 runs, Australian supporters bit into their nails. After lunch Hussey fell for 24, dragging a ball from Roach into his stumps. Roach then produced an absolute beauty to bowl Ben Hilfenhaus (0) to grab his second five-wicket haul in the match. Not surprisingly, Clarke called in his players as soon as Nathan Lyons was caught off Shillingford and at 160-8, the West Indies needed 216 to win in 61 overs. All things being equal, it was a generous declaration. Clarke and his management clearly believe this West Indies team can be broken. Kraigg Braithwaite bagged a pair in his last two innings and therefore watched on as Powell and Adrian Barath opening the innings. Powell caught on the back foot again and given out LBW of Hilfenhaus and to compound it, wasted a referral. It was soon 13-2, with Barath's poor run continuing as he became Hilfenhaus second wicket in the innings albeit to a very good delivery. In between, Sammy arrived at number three and made his intentions clear.
In fact, before the interruption for bad light just after 2 pm, Sammy had already struck four boundaries and one six in 30 not out. Bravo was going along sedately on eight. And the rain came. It stopped for a while, then came again. And suddenly, all hope of a result was history. It was a drawn match from which the West Indies can feel a little happy about, particularly given Roach's bowling and the batting of Chanderpaul and Deonarine. Australia will be concerned about their own batting failures and the injuries of Pattinson and Siddle. For the West Indies selectors, there must be a big question mark over which two of the three (Braithwaite, Powell or Barath) will open the innings in the next test. Assad Fudadin has been added for Dominica, weakening this team without Kirk Edwards. And there must be concerns over Carlton Baugh who continues to be selected and may very well be the unnamed West Indies vice-captain in the absence of Edwards. So we didn't lose. But we did not win either. The limited spectators at the Oval left smiling. Therefore let's drink to that. The West Indies did not lose! The optimists in the West Indies camp will say Australia were lucky and the weather saved them. But if you are following West Indies cricket, you'd know that that was just a thought!
