Lara tells bowlers: Buck up

BRIDGETOWN: West Indies captain Brian Lara yesterday called for an improved showing from his under-fire bowlers in the third cricket Test against Australia this weekend.

“All the bowlers know they have to step up a gear,” Lara said after final net practice before the match starts yesterday. “It’s OK if you’re not getting wickets, but sometimes when you’re not getting wickets you need to keep it tight,” Lara said. “The Australians ... scored way too quickly against us in Trinidad.” The visitors have a 2-0 lead and ambitions of an historic four-match series sweep after winning the Second Test by 118 runs last week in Trinidad. Australia raced along at well over four runs an over for the match, piling up formidable totals of 576 for four and 238 for three, declaring on both occasions.

The West Indies has taken just 18 wickets to Australia’s 40 in the first two matches of the series. Ineffective left-armer Pedro Collins has been axed, while supposed pace spearhead Mervyn Dillon is also under pressure for his place. The 28-year-old Dillon, the most experienced bowler of the attack with 117 wickets in 32 Tests, has taken just five expensive wickets in the series. “We don’t expect just Dillon, we expect everybody to pull their weight come tomorrow (Thursday),” Lara said. The West Indies is certain to revert to four specialist bowlers after their policy of three and an all-rounder failed in Trinidad. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who scored a rapid century in the First Test in Guyana, returns from an injury that kept him out of the second match. “With Chanderpaul back, one of our best batsman, definitely it will give us the luxury of having four bowlers,” said Lara, who turns 34 on Friday. The 33-year-old Vasbert Drakes has had an impressive run since his belated return to the team. Dillon battles with express quicks Jermaine Lawson, Tino Best and off-spinner Omari Banks to be among the other three bowlers chosen. Lawson has recovered from chicken pox, while Best and Banks aspire to a debut.

Wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs, who missed the last match, is again a fitness concern and his participation will hinge on a late test on the morning of the first day. Carlton Baugh again waits in the wings. The return of opener Chris Gayle and fellow left-hander Chanderpaul boosts the batting department. Either Devon Smith or Marlon Samuels will miss out. Australia, too, are lifted with the return of pace spearhead Glenn McGrath. The tourists are likely to retain their team balance from the first two victories, with five bowlers to follow wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist at No. 6. Left-arm wrist spinner Brad Hogg will step aside for the return of 91-Test veteran McGrath. Andy Bichel retains his spot among four fast bowlers on the back of his match-winning, three-wicket spell on the final day in Trinidad. Leg-spinner Stuart MacGill, following a ten-wicket haul in the First-Class match over the weekend, will operate as the sole specialist spinner.

West Indies (from): Brian Lara (captain), Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Daren Ganga, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Marlon Samuels, Ridley Jacobs, Carlton Baugh, Vasbert Drakes, Mervyn Dillon, Jermaine Lawson, Omari Banks, Tino Best.
Australia (from): Steve Waugh (captain), Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Adam Gilchrist, Andy Bichel, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath, Martin Love, Brad Hogg, Ashley Noffke, Jimmy Maher, Brad Williams, Michael Clarke.
Umpires: David Shepherd (England), Srinivas Venkataraghavan (India).
3rd/TV umpire: Eddie Nicholls (Guyana).
Match referee: Mike Procter (South Africa).