Coach Logie confident a win is possible

West Indies senior cricket coach Gus Logie yesterday expressed confidence that the home team can pull off an unlikely victory against the history-making Australians in the Second Cable and Wireless Test match at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain.

Aussie captain Steve Waugh made a sporting declaration yesterday giving West Indies a victory target of 407 runs off a minimum of 117 overs. West Indies ended the fourth day at 107 for three wickets. Australian supporters would be optimistic that their all-conquering team would seal victory and retain the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy. West Indian supporters are working out the theory and the possible permutations as to how and who among the West Indian batsmen can get the other 300 runs required to win the match and level the series 1-1.

The most important factor in favour of West Indies is the prolific pair of Lara and newly-appointed vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan are the not out batsmen and will resume the battle this morning hunting for runs and the victory. The talented twosome registered three century partnerships against Sri Lanka during West Indies tour in 2001. Hope rises once again that they will recapture the glorious form and produced a match-winning performance.

Coach Logie is among the hopefuls and optimists. “We have a pretty good chance of winning the match. It is a generous declaration made by the Australians.We will be taking it one session at a time, one ball at a time, one target at a time. And if we cannot win we will certainly try to at least draw the match,” Logie said yesterday. “The pitch will take some spin, some will keep low but we will approach everything positively. Brian is still there (batting) and he has Sarwan who is experienced in these situations. And once they work things out, we should achieve our goal,” he said.

The newly-appointed senior coach and former Test player expressed satisfaction with the work done by the bowlers aided by skipper Lara as they kept the Aussies in check with the run-rate. “The bowlers and the captain did a great job by restricting the Aussies to two-and-a-half and three runs per over. That helped from allowing Australia from running away with the game,” Logie said. He was also happy with attitude of the players. “Everyone have shown a lot of grit and have worked hard at the net sessions. They have taken a concious decision and are willing to work and help each other. And I am comfortable and happy with what is happening.” He revealed that former Test quickies and now television commentators have been offering helpful advice and hints to the bowlers. However, today the responsibility lies with skipper Lara, Sarwan and the other batsmen  to get the job done if  West Indian supporters are to smile and celebrate.