Lara wants more from bowlers

Despite getting the elusive Test hundred at the Queen’s Park Oval yesterday, West Indies captain Brian Lara’s team succumbed to the mighty Australians, who romped to a convincing 118-run victory in the Second Cable and Wireless Test match and retained the coveted Sir Frank Worrell Trophy.

Steve Waugh’s Australia triumph marks their continued dominance over the West Indies and registered their eighth consecutive, dating back to the Fifth Test victory at the Antigua Recreation Ground in 1999 when Lara scored an even hundred. West Indies, under Jimmy Adams, suffered a complete 5-0 whitewash “Down Under” in 2001, while the touring Aussies took the First Test at Bourda, Guyana by nine wickets.

Skipper Lara and his deputy Ramnaresh Sarwan provided much hope for an exciting finish as they batted through the morning session without being parted. But after posting an encouraging fourth wicket century partnership, Sarwan was dismissed and soon after Marlon Samuels followed back to the pavilion.

It was Andrew Bichel who snapped three quick wickets, including debutant David Bernard Jnr., who tightened the stranglehold on the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy. It was not surprising that Waugh’s deputy Ricky Ponting with his historic double century (206) and 45 gained the nod for the “Man of the Match” award. Lara was dismissed for an heroic 122, his first ever hundred on his home ground after 20 innings and ten Test matches.

An emotional Lara acknowledged the wonderful support given, by clapping his hands, saying, “Thank you very much” to an electrified and excited Oval posse. But while Lara was evidently disappointed at the outcome, he lamented the fact that his players were incapable of keeping the rampant and surpremely confident Aussies in check when there are batting. Having assumed the mantle for a second term and with two successive defeats, Lara made pointed reference to his bowlers’ inability to get the job done.

”The Australians scored very, very quickly. We were unable to limit their fast scoring rate. That has been causing us the most problems at the moment. We need to check their scoring rate. And I see a couple of changes coming for the next Test.,” Lara said. Commenting on achieving his first Test century at the Oval, Lara, who celebrates his 34th birthday on May 2, described it as “finally a great feeling to get it, but it was to no avail (meaning the defeat).” It was the 12th defeat in 20 Tests as captain (six victories) for the Trinidadian double world record holder.

Appearing in his record 158th Test and 47th as captain, Waugh was very elated and praised his bowlers for the great effort. He recorded his 35th Test victory and is now only one away from equalling the world record  held by the legendary West Indian Clive Lloyd. “The bowlers did a great job in getting twenty wickets on this very flat pitch. We gave ourselves a lot of overs to bowl out West Indies. We knew that to win we had to have enough overs to do it. Everyone was fired up and fought hard for this victory. Bichel’s incisive spell was crucial because up to that stage it was still 50-50,” Waugh said yesterday.