Sarwan gave up chance to score triple century

KINGSTON: Vice-captain Ramn-aresh Sarwan said he gave up a rare Test triple century to ensure the West Indies didn’t waste their commanding position over Bangladesh in their second and final Test. Sarwan slammed a career-best, unbeaten 261 on Sunday on the third day as the home team tightened their grip on the match and the series. Shivnarine Chanderpaul added a fluent 101 not out as the West Indies amassed 559 for four declared at Sabina Park. “I was told that if I wanted to get to a triple century, I would have eight more overs or so,” Sarwan said. “But ... you never know what can happen with the weather. The team comes first so I am not disappointed.”

Captain Brian Lara’s decision to declare, which came after consultation with his deputy, meant the West Indies led on first innings by 275 runs. In 20 overs before the close, the Caribbean bowlers justified the declaration by rocking the Bangladesh top order as they closed at 66 for three. The platform was set by Sarwan and Chanderpaul, whose stroke-filled partnership of 262 set up the mammoth West Indies total. Sarwan, who completed his fifth Test century overnight, was magnificent in transforming his 106 not out to equal the eighth highest score by a West Indian. The right-hander, two weeks away from his 24th birthday, blasted 32 boundaries to all parts of the outfield in a knock spanning nine and a half hours. He faced 401balls in compiling his highest ever First-Class score.

“It’s stunning. It’s unbelievable,” Sarwan said. “I’m pretty happy to get it out of the way. “Actually, I played a game earlier this year and scored 199,” he noted of his previous best First-Class effort for Guyana against Kenya in the regional competition. “When I got into the 190s then I was a bit nervous but it was totally different situation here.” Chanderpaul, slow to get going, eventually matched his partner stroke-for-stroke to energise a crowd of nearly 7,000. The left-hander cracked 11 boundaries off 190 balls. Lara’s declaration came soon after Chanderpaul passed his 10th Test century in his 76th match.