WI v SA: Third Test Report Card

The West Indies had a lot more to shout about this time around and were actually in with a chance of pulling off a remarkable victory deep into the final day. This was due largely in part to the contribution of their batsmen with a limping Chris Gayle leading the way.

The captain?s first innings century, the whirlwind that was Dwayne Smith?s debut ton and the batting of Sarwan meant WI held their own in that department.

The bowling and fielding continued to be a source of worry however, with far too many chances going abegging for a professional team. Here are my grades on the third test performances...

CHRIS GAYLE

The big left-hander defied the obvious discomfort of an injured leg to blitzkrieg the South Africa bowlers for a first innings ton which signaled the West Indians were not about to roll over and die. He attacked with a fury no doubt fuelled by the ?tongue? incident of the first Test when, batting with a runner, he was bested by the belligerent Andre Nel. The fast bowler duly received his portion of caning, conceding 29 from his first three overs.

Gayle also passed 2000 runs while registering his third Test century. His injury, sustained early in the first test, meant he missed the second but his value to the team was such that management risked his sore hamstring and he did not disappoint. He also twirled his off-spinners economically during the South African innings.

Grade: A

DAREN GANGA

Quality without quantity does not cut it in the world of cricket, and the sooner Ganga realizes that the better for him and West Indies cricket. Superior batting technique without producing the necessary scores will soon run him out of favour with tolerant selectors. Although he understood and played his role well during the Gayle blitzkrieg, Ganga badly needs to get some runs of his own. A positive approach to the SA bowlers would not hurt his cause, although it could be too late with the emergence of Dwayne Smith as a creditable contender and the expected return of Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Grade: F

RAMNARESH SARWAN

Brimming with confidence after his second innings century at Durban, the vice-captain seemed back to his best with a sumptuous 44 first time up, even taking on the short-pitched bowling, which has seen his downfall on many occasions. He also displayed another aspect of his game with a disciplined second innings half-century with his team in a corner. Any points deducted would come from the fact that he did not take over the mantle of steering the side to safety after Brian Lara?s dismissal in the second innings. Having said that it I must admit that the delivery that got him out was no long hop.

Grade: A-

BRIAN LARA

The West Indies captain was intent on making good his pre-match prediction that there would be no ?white-wash? this time around. The left-hander batted like a man on a mission, leading from the front as his team endeavored to match the home side in the batting department. His determined first innings 115 during which he became the fastest man to 9,000 runs while coaxing valuable runs from the lower order, ensured a manageable deficit.

He was not finished however, returning to rescue WI from a spot of bother in the second innings. He also seemed to have a steadying influence on his flamboyant vice-captain during their time together in the middle. Again, Lara must lose points for captaincy with his bowlers looking lost and leaderless at times.

Grade: B

WAVELL HINDS

Dropped down the order on the return of Gayle, Hinds found the going hardly any easier than opening the batting. Confidence clearly lacking, he continued to struggle with his footwork and may now be hoping to be part of the Fourth Test line-up. The left-hander could find himself competing with Ganga for the final batting spot with the expected return from injury of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, since Dwayne Smith seems to have booked his place with his impressive debut ton. Hinds has shown in the past that when dropped he usually returns with a bang, so this could well be a blessing in disguise.

Grade: F

DWAYNE SMITH

Plucked from obscurity by selectors who obviously spotted some potential, the 20-year-old repaid them with a remarkable display of batting that has already evoked whispered memories of former great Sir Vivian Richards, one of the men to whom Smith owes his place. Smith became the 11th West Indian to score a century on debut, blasting his team to safety from an unsteady 224 for four on the final day. What is commendable is that despite his first innings failure, and the situation in the second innings, he remained unfazed.

His enterprising batting may have cemented his place in the middle-order for the rest of this tour at least, and raises the question ? ?why wasn?t he selected for the second test?? Many were the raised eyebrows when he was named as a replacement for the injured Marlon Samuels but for now, Richards and company seem to have called it right.

Grade: A

RIDLEY JACOBS

The warhorse was his usual reliable self, adding 54 for the sixth wicket with his captain as West Indies crept up on South Africa?s formidable first innings effort. Curbed his natural aggression as the team settled for a draw on the final afternoon. Anyone aspiring to take over the gloves from has to wait a while longer since he is still efficient as ever, snaring four catches in the first and another in the second when three wickets fell.

Grade: C+

VASBERT DRAKES

The veteran of South African conditions continues to stand out in the economy column, conceding less runs per over than the other frontline bowlers. However, to win test matches wickets must be taken and one victim in an entire game does not cut it, no matter how stingy you are. He continued to hold his own with the bat, adding a valuable 55 for the seventh wicket with his captain as WI pursued SA first innings? 532.

Grade: D

Dave Mohamed

Given his bold prediction of being the West Indies? highest wicket-taker in the series, the left-arm spinner had a lot of ground to catch up on in his debut match. As it turned out, he won?t be too unhappy with his returns on the batsman friendly track.

Bowling too flat early in his spell resulted in some severe treatment from Neil Mc Kenzie and Jacques Rudolph. To his credit, Mohamed removed both late on the first day as West Indies worked their way back into the game. His enterprising batting, during which he outscored Lara 36-8, helped to lend some respectability to the first innings total. Mohamed however, loses major marks for his poor display in the field, which proved comic relief for anybody watching.

Grade: D

ADAM SANFORD

Sanford continued to display the work ethic evident since he arrived in SA as a replacement for the injured Omari Banks. Although struggling at times with his length, his perseverance was such that he eventually ended with four first innings wickets. However, as a police officer he needs to be more sure-handed since criminals can slip through his grasps just as easily as catches seem to be doing on this tour.

Grade: D+

FIDEL EDWARDS

The youngster continued to do what he knows to do best, bowl fast. Full of enthusiasm, he caused problems for the South African batsmen when he got his line right and was instrumental in the mini-collapse on the first afternoon. After forcing Jacques Kallis to retire hurt, Edwards so unnerved the entrenched Rudolph as to cause the left-hander to gift his wicket to Mohamed. He also fired out Paul Adams and Shaun Pollock as SA lost four wickets for 11 runs in six overs. He could not maintain his control however, and SA were allowed to recover. Despite his inconsistencies, this youth is one for the future. The tour management should start by resting him during the period leading up to the final test, so that he can recharge his batteries.

Grade: C