Lara, Sarwan hit 100s, Windies in command

KINGSTON: West Indies captain Brian Lara and deputy Ramnaresh Sarwan smacked centuries as their team forged a commanding position against Bangladesh yesterday, the second day of their second Test. The West Indies powered to 294 for three at the close, already ahead on first innings by 10 runs. Bangladesh, resuming on 264 for nine, were bowled out for 284 earlier in the day at Sabina Park. Lara, who has staked his captaincy on his team winning this match, blasted 12 fours and three sixes in a magnificent 119, his 26th century in 108 Tests.

Sarwan was swept along in Lara’s wake and collected his fifth Test century and ended the day on 106 not out. The 23-year-old benefitted from one of three catches floored by the tourists to stroke 11 fours in just under five hours. Sarwan was 21 when he benefited from a Hannan Sarkar miss at second slip as he drove loosely at Tapash Baisya. Opener Devon Smith chipped in with 44 before he ran himself out at 109 for two. But Lara joined Sarwan midway through the day and the pair entertained a crowd of about 5,000. The pair produced some magical stroke-play in a run-a-minute third wicket stand of 179. The mood was set by Lara when they resumed after tea at 154 for two. The 35-year-old left-hander quickly hit three successive fours off fast bowler Baisya’s opening over that cost 15 runs. Lara raced to 50, with two sixes and his sixth four off 54 balls in just over an hour.

With blazing Lara strokes continuing to flow, Sarwan was content to play the silent partner, although he, too, produced some delightful shots all around the outfield. Sarwan was 46 when Lara joined him and the experienced skipper soon overtook his understudy in the 80s with his third six. It was not long before the Jamaican crowd was saluting another Lara milestone. He nudged his 121st ball to mid-on to reach three figures. Lara is now level with fellow left-hander, former great Sir Gary Sobers, on 26 centuries as the most prolific West Indian century-maker in the game. Lara guided Sarwan to his landmark half hour later, the Guyanese glancing Manjural Islam Rana for a single from his 174th delivery. But five overs from the end, Bangladesh finally ended Lara’s gem as Mohammad Rafique induced an edge to the wicket-keeper. Tino Best emerged as night-watchman and was with Sarwan on one not out at close.

Bangladesh got an early breakthrough when Chris Gayle failed to take advantage of a floored chance when he was six. The powerful left-hander added just eight before edging Tareq Aziz to the wicket-keeper at 26 for one. Smith and Sarwan added 83 for the second wicket either side of lunch but Smith wasted a golden opportunity when he ran himself out six short of a half century. The left-hander drove to mid-on but could not beat out Mohammad Ashraful’s quick pickup and direct hit of the bowler’s end stumps. Smith, who had been dropped by Tareq Aziz at backward point when 28, hit eight fours in 44 off 112 balls.

Earlier in the day, the tourists added 20 runs to their overnight 264 for nine as last men Baisya and Aziz further frustrated the West Indies.
Baisya was in sight of his second Test half century when he was last out for 48. The right-handed Baisya, grassed earlier in the Pedro Collins over by a diving Smith, eventually edged a more straightforward offering to the same fielder at second slip. Baisya lashed eight fours off 64 deliveries in just under two hours. Aziz ended 10 not out off 40 balls in 48 minutes. Left-arm pacer Collins finished with three for 64.