India start favourite in one-day series at Keenan

JAMSHEDPUR, Nov 5 (UNI): After convincingly winning the test series, India start favourite when they take on West Indies in the first of the seven-match one day international series at Keenan stadium here tomorrow.

The winning of the Natwest Trophy in England and sharing of the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka earlier this year have also boosted the morale of the Indian squad to a great extent.

Though the hosts would be missing their best batsman Sachin Tendulkar and main strike bowler and speedstar Zaheer Khan, Indian captain Saurav Ganguly and his teammates looked a confident lot to clinch this limited over series as well.

While Sachin is nursing a hamstring injury, Zaheer has been rested on medical advice for the whole of this limited over series.

A spirited Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly, who along with his teammates and West Indies team arrived here yesterday afternoon said "I'm sure we would be able to live up to the expectation in the one-day series like the test one.

Yes, we would be missing Sachin and Zaheer.

But our team is quite a balanced one.

We will win this one-day series also." India, who bagged the world cup in 1983 and the West Indies, who won the first two titles, have so far played 69 limited over matches out of which India won 25 against 42 by West Indies.

While one tie was abandoned, another one ended in a tie.

India have so far played eight one-dayers at Keenan out of which India lost seven and won once when led by Saurav Ganguly they beat South Africa during 1999-2000.

The only one-day match West Indies played here was in 1983 when the Caribbeans beat india convincingly with both opener Gordon Greenidge and Viv Richards scoring centuries.

The hosts, inspite of the absence of Sachin Tendulkar, have a formidable batting line up.

As things stand now, Virender Sehwag and Saurav Ganguly will open the innings.

Dinesh Mongia or Sanjay Bangar, included in place of Sachin, would come one down followed by Rahul Dravid, Yuvaraj, Laxman and Mohammad Kaif.

During Natwest series and then Champions Trophy, the Indian tail did well and they are also expected to rise to the occasion here as well.

The Indian bowling attack would comprise Javagal Srinath as his Nehra, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.

If Indian team management prefer to have a third seamer in Ajit Agarkar, Rahul Dravid would have to do the keeping like last time.

Otherwise, JF Yadav would be seen behind the wicket.

The final eleven of the Indian team would be announced tomorrow morning before the match.

The West Indies, who have a formidable record in one-day matches are also likely to make a turnaround in the one-day international after losing the test series.

West Indies captain Carl Hooper felt that after getting drubbed in the first two tests, the team stood well in the third one at Kolkata and had an upperhand in the match for two days.

"This would definitely put us in good stead for the one-day series beginning here tomorrow," Hooper said.

For the one-day series, West Indies have included two new players to their team while two of the test series have gone back.

All rounder Vasbert Drakes and pinch-hitter Ricardo Powell have joined the team while Darren Powell and Jermaine Lawson have returned home.

Besides Chris Gayle and Wavel Hinds, Caribbean batting will largely depend on in-form Shivnarain Chanderpaul, skipper Carl Hooper and Marlon Samuels.

Besides Drakes and Ricardo Powell, the visitors will depend for their attack on Mervyn Dillon, Cameron Cuffy, Ricardo Powell, Drakes and Hooper while Ridley Jacob would keep their wicket.

The final has generated a tremendous enthusiasm in this steel town and all the tickets have been sold out.

The match, beginning at 0900 hours would be televised live while All India Radio would provide the running commentary in English and Hindi.

Both the team arrived here from Kolkata via Ranchi yesterday to take some rest.

They had a strenuous workout at the nets today.

The match would be played on a relaid wicket prepared two and a half months ago.

Chairman of the BCCI pitch committee Kasturirangan, after inspecting the wicket at Keenan, expressed his satisfaction and said "it is a positive wicket which would help both the batsmen and bowlers." AV Prakash of India and Ashoka D'Silva of Sri Lanka would supervise the match while I Sivaraman would be the third umpire and Mike Proctor of South Africa would be the match referee.

Following are the teams: India: Saurav Ganguly (captain), Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Mongia, Rahul Dravid, Yuvaraj Singh, VVS Laxman, Md Kaif, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Ashis Nehra, Ajit Agarkar, P.

Yadav and Sanjay Bangar.

West Indies: Carl Hooper (captain), Wavell Hinds, Chris Gayle, Shivnarain Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Daren Ganga, Marlon Samuels, Ridley Jacob, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Mervyn Dillon, Pedro Collins, Cameron Cuffy, Vasbert Drakes, Ricardo Powell, Ryan Hinds and Gareth Breese.

Tight security in Jamshedpur for one dayer Ranchi, Nov 5 (UNI): Security has been beefed up in and around Jamshedpur's Keenan stadium, hosting the first one dayer in Jharkhand between the India and West Indies tomorrow.

The two teams are meeting here after 19 years.

They had played here in 1983 when the match was won by the Carribeans.

According to the Bihar Cricket Association sources the state administration has made available adequate number of policemen to ensure security of the two teams.

Doq squad is likely to be pressed into service for security reasons near the hotel where the teams are staying.

No one is allowed to go near the stadium without valid passes.

Close circuit television cameras have been installed at strategic places inside the stadium and near the pavillions besides the hotel where the two teams have been kept.

Round-the-clock patrolling is underway in Bistupur areas for security reasons where the hotel and the stadium are situated.

Jharkhand chief minister Babulal Marandi, who is leaving for Jamshedpur tommorow morning, will be present at the Keenan stadium.

The chief minister is scheduled to distribute the awards after the match.

Gillespie cleared to play for Australia BRISBANE, Nov 5 (Reuters): Fast bowler Jason Gillespie was cleared on Tuesday to play for Australia in the first Ashes cricket test against England starting today.

The lanky paceman was in doubt after being sent home from Australia's recent series with Pakistan after injuring a calf muscle.

He played in a domestic limited-overs match on Saturday, but was not cleared to play against England until passing a fitness test today.

Gillespie's availability means Australia's selectors will have to choose between Brett Lee and Andy Bichel as the third paceman with Glenn Mcgrath certain to open the attack.

Lee is Australia's fastest bowler but has been struggling for form since returning from injury while the less explosive Bichel is a Brisbane local with a history of success at the Gabba.

England better than results suggest, says Hussain BRISBANE, Nov 5 (Reuters): England cricket captain Nasser Hussain believes his team is capable of pulling off an upset win in the first ashes test against Australia starting in two days.

Despite failing to win any of their four lead-up matches and struggling with a mounting injury toll, Hussain said England could cause an upset.

"Australia hasn't seen the best of the England cricket team for a long while," Hussain told reporters.

"If we had won every (warm-up) game it wouldn't have meant anything going into Thursday." Hussain added: "nearly all the players have been successful against Australia.

"The key for the whole team and the whole squad is how we are on Thursday and Friday.

If Australia sees the same old England they will be very confident." The English skipper said his team's chances depended on how they handled the pressure the Australians would apply.

"You play differently when you're under pressure, whatever side you are and too often now Australia have dictated terms by putting pressure on the opposition," Hussain said.

"When you have no fear of losing a game and you can show all your skills and the crowd can get behind you, it's a very easy life and a very easy game.

"But the moment you put losing into the equation it becomes a whole different ball game, so that's what we have to do to Australia in every test match." England's biggest concern, says Hussain, is injuries.

The tourists have been beset in the lead-up to the first test with fast bowler Darren Gough ruled out again and young paceman Steve Harmison suffering shin splints.

Openers Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has also been troubled by injuries although they are all expected to play.

Hussain said: "everyone will write about mental strength and all these other vague things but what wins cricket games is basic cricket and putting pressure on the opposition.

"I've played against Australia and I don't believe our failings are down to a mental thing.

It's down to basic cricket skills.

"I believe they practise their skills at such a level that it pays off in those pressure situations.

"That's what we have to learn.

It's an intensity that you have to do all the time to get used to it." Australia were boosted on Tuesday by news that paceman Jason Gillespie had been cleared to play after recovering from a calf muscle problem.

Police games from Nov 7 at Bhiwani CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 (UNI): The 51st All India Police Games will commence at the Bhim stadium in Bhiwani from November seven.

The four-day event would be inaugurated by deputy prime minister LK Advani, while Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala would preside over the function, Haryana police chief MS Malik stated here today.

As many as 14 outstanding sportspersons of Haryana would be presented cash awards by Advani during the opening ceremony of the games.

The sportspersons who had won gold medal at the Busan Asiad would receive cash reward of Rs ten lakh, the silver medallists would receive Rs seven lakh and the bronze medalists Rs five lakh.

Hooper hopes to make a comeback in one-day series JAMSEDPUR, Nov 5 (UNI): West Indies captain Carl Hooper feels the Carribeans will make a turn around in the ongoing one day series.

Speaking to newspersons after attending the nets, Hooper said "one day match is a different ball game.

We, at present are a better one-day team than the test.

Ours is a well-knit team in one day matches and are counting on the one-day series during the next couple of months.

Last time, we played the one day series was in West Indies where we won 2-1.

We want to keep that tradition.

" Hooper felt the inclusion of Ricardo Powell would definitely help the side.

"Ricardo is a good and talented bat besides being a handy off-spinner.

He is also a brilliant fielder.

I hope he would be able to prove himself in this tour," Ricardo Powell has joined the team after the conclusion of their test matches.

About the wicket at Keenan stadium which has been relaid about a two and a half months ago, he said " the wicket is very dry and has lots of cracks.

I won't call this wicket a worst one , but it certainly looks funny." Asked whether he was going to have more all rounders, Hooper said "I don't want bits and pieces bowlers.

We need genuine all rounders specially in view of the coming world cup in South Africa".

He said seamer Pedro Collins is fit and in for selection.

NZ dispute escalates as talks end with players AUCKLAND, Nov 5 (Reuters): New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Martin Snedden has ended talks with the country's first-class cricketers after the players rejected a final offer to settle the dispute which has threatened the start of the domestic season.

"Despite six months' negotiations with the NZCPA (New Zealand Cricket Players' Association) we have not made any progress on the key issues and the season is fast approaching," Snedden said in a statement today.

"We have acted so we can get on with the domestic season and to ensure we can field a team for the national bank series against India (starting next month)." NZC made a final offer of an extra NZ300,000 dollars (US148,600 dollars) for the domestic and international players' pool to bring it up to NZ5 million dollars by november 1, issuing a deadline for acceptance of 1600 local time today.

But a news conference called by the NZCPA two hours earlier than the deadline flatly rejected the offer and invited NZC to speak to the players on the issues and return to the negotiating table.

The players have been on strike since October 1 and the NZCPA said all action would be suspended while further negotiations took place.

But Snedden snubbed their proposal.

"Our final offer to the NZCPA was fair," he said.

"It significantly increased remuneration and income security for both international and first-class domestic players.

"We have reached an impasse.

The NZCPA offer today contained nothing new.

"The issues have been dealt with previously.

It is now time for us to move forward and get on with the cricket season." Two victims of the dispute are the "cricket max", a mini version of the one-day game that was scheduled to open the season in Auckland on November 16, and the Provincial Second XI competition due to begin on January 2.

Both have been cancelled.

The four-day, first-class matches are due to begin when Otago play central districts in Wanganui on November 23.

So far there has been no threat to the first-class fixtures but they are likely to depend on Snedden's success in persuading players to break NZCPA ranks.

With the 128 members of the NZCPA reported by the association to be united in their rejection of NZC's final offer, the visit by India for two tests and seven one-day internationals could see an entirely new, and weakened, New Zealand side take the field.

"The bargaining process is at an end but if players decide they want to be involved, then that is fine," Snedden said.

He added that NZC only had so much money but when finance arrived from the International Cricket Council "the players will be appropriately remunerated.

"That's the way we work.

We can't promise them anything we haven't already got." All rounder JP Yadav to make his debut for India JAMSHEDPUR, Nov 5 (UNI): All rounder JP Yadav from Railways will make his debut for India when it meets West Indies in the first of the seven one-day internationals to be held at the Keenan stadium here tomorrow.

Though Yadav was in the Indian squad in the recently concluded Champions Trophy, he would be in the playing eleven tomorrow.

Briefing media persons after a long workout at the nets, Indian captain Sourav Ganguly informed that "it's an opportunity for Yadav and I hope he would live up to the expectation." Ganguly said Dinesh Mongia who has come in the list of 14 in place of injured Sachin Tendulkar would be rested tomorrow along with Sanjay Bangar and Javagal Srinath to give the new comers a chance to play.

Commenting on tomorrow's match, the Indian captain said the West Indies was a good side , specially in limited over matches.

"But we want to start from where we left in the test series and continue with our winning streak", Ganguly said and added that " we have to play well for the entire hundred overs.

I am sure we would be able to do that".

The only one-dayer won by India at Keenan so far was led by the Ganguly against South Africa in March 2000 when he also scored a century.

Saurav said that he would open the innings along with Shewag and Laxman would come in the position where Tendulkar used to play.

Commenting on Sachin's absence, Ganguly said "we would definitely feel his absence.

But at the same time it's a good opportunity for a player like Laxman.

I hope he rises to the occasion." Regarding the wicket at Keenan, the Indian captain admitted that it did have cracks as felt by his West Indies counterpart.

"But I don't think it would behave that bad.

However, I have asked the groundsmen to roll the pitch further," he observed.

Asked whether all the new players would be given rest in turn during this series, Ganguly said "it's a long series.

We would take one game at a time.

Besides there are many aspects like fitness and other things also to be considered", he added.

To a question whether this tour was a long one to make players tired, the Indian captain said " we are doing this sort of tour for quite some time.

India is a big country and all the big cities want to host one day matches." Asked whether this one day series would be a good run up before the world cup next year, Ganguly said this series and the one against New Zealand would keep the players in good stead.

The series against the New Zealand, before the world cup would be an important one, he added.

Tendulkar's ton must rank among his finest A boring Test series, marked by much mediocre cricket and lop- sided results was at least enlivened by a well-contested final Test at the Eden Gardens even if the denouement was rather tame.

But the fluctuating fortunes and sudden twists and turns made for a rather engrossing encounter particularly against the background of the disappointing events at Mumbai and Chennai.

Going into the final day, any one of three results was possible and in the end, India salvaged their reputation by comfortably drawing a game in which West Indies had called the tune for most part.

However, India can still take heart from events in the Kolkata Test.

Much has been said about the Indian batting might but this has centered round running up massive totals on good wickets and when things are running in their favour.

At the Eden Gardens, the Indians showed that their batting could be mighty handy even in a rearguard action.

A first-innings deficit of 139 runs with almost two days left is enough to put immense and sustained pressure on a side.

It is to the credit of the batsmen that they did not crumble, even after they were 87 for four.

At this stage, defeat was a distinct possibility but a closing total of 471 for eight underlined the strength of the Indian batting.

The recovery was scripted by Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman and their 214-run partnership for the fifth wicket that brought back vivid memories of the Laxman-Dravid record stand against Australia in March last year on the same ground.

Tendulkar's innings was really on a different plane altogether and even by his own lofty standards, the 176 will take its place among the finest of the 31 hundreds notched up by the maestro.

The manner in which he made the runs confirmed his stature as the world's leading batsman.

Even in a crisis situation, it was never a typically rearguard action which is usually marked by dour, defensive batting.

Judiciously mixing caution with aggression, he never gave the bowlers much of a chance.

Soon after he came in, his steely eyes, grim determination and intense concentration were all there to see and he gave early indications of a long stay at the crease.

He did not disappoint, staying at the crease for seven hours and negotiating 298 deliveries.

But, as I said, it was not a totally defensive knock, indicative of his having stroked 26 fours.

The little master realised that making runs was almost as important as consuming time.

Tactically it was a masterly knock.

Yes, the Indians are well served in their omnipotent department by the likes of Dravid, Ganguly, Sehwag, Bangar and Laxman but there is little doubt as to who is the dada of them all.

I have often wondered why Laxman has been inconsistent.

The Hyderabadi stylist, a direct descendant of ML Jaisimha and Azharuddin, is a batsman who has class written all over him.

Some of the shots he plays are all his own and beyond the reach of any other batsman.

That being the case, I am unable to fathom why he does not play his full regalia of strokes, which are straight from the textbook and with greater freedom, now that he is certain of a place in the side.

Under the circumstances, he should not be lacking in confidence and one can only hope that his unbeaten 154 at Kolkata for which he batted almost nine hours, will mark the final turning point in his career.

A true team man, he initially eschewed strokes, keen to give Tendulkar as much strike as possible before going full throttle himself after the dismissal of his partner.

I refuse to believe that Laxman's current career average of 42 which is a pretty big leap following events in the past three years is reflective of his talent, class and skill.

There is no earthly reason why it should not be in the 50-plus category.

But having celebrated his 28th birthday during the Test, he has time on his hands and the thought that his best could still lie ahead is a good augury for Indian cricket.

On a pitch that remained true till the end, the Indian bowlers were up against it, though, Harbhajan Singh confirmed his rising stature by finishing with another five-wicket haul.

Fittingly enough, he walked away with the man of the series award for his tally of 20 wickets.

But if the series underscored his rise, it also signaled another step downward for Anil Kumble.

There are now distinct signs that India's main strike bowler in the last decade is in the evening of his career.

I was never happy with Javagal Srinath's decision to come back and his subsequent inclusion in the side.

With just four wickets from 53 overs at an average of 31.75 in the series, he is quite clearly another bowler over the hill and it is time the selectors firmly installed Zaheer Khan as the spearhead of the attack while keeping their eyes open for new talent - and there are a few young pacemen around.

From the West Indian point of view, the foremost feeling must be one of relief that they avoided a clean sweep that was on the cards on the eve of the Test.

But then there must also be a sense of regret that they could not capitalise on a winning position.

Of the two weak departments, there were certainly more question marks over the bowling than the batting and this proved to their Achilles heel.

Also, the decision to go in with four pace bowlers and no specialist spinner proved to be a tactical blunder.

But then in the ultimate analysis, the tourists never really had a chance and a 2-0 result is a fair indication of the disparity between the two teams.

However, the one-day matches that follow should be close-run affairs, particularly with Sachin Tendulkar out of the series.

Knee injury jeopardises Gough's Ashes series MELBOURNE, Nov 5 : The England captain Nasser Hussain today admitted that England may have to go through the entire Ashes series without Darren Gough, who has been sent to the Adelaide academy for intensive treatment on his knee injury.

Although Hussain did not rule Gough out of the series, he told the BBC: "It's been going on for a year or so and Darren is very disappointed.

"We need to get him right.

I'm not worried about the Ashes as far as Darren goes now.

I'm just worried about getting Darren back.

"I'd have to be honest in that we've learnt to live without Darren.

For me I'd like to see him back on the cricket field, whether it's the Ashes or not, because it's his career." With Gough already out of the first Test which starts in Brisbane on Thursday, England have also to decide whether Andrew Flintoff is fit to play after taking part in just one match since his double hernia operation.

Although Flintoff bowled 26 overs and took two wickets in this week's drawn warm-up match with Queensland, he was noticeably stiff on the second day.

England have the option of playing Craig White, who was added to the squad as cover for Flintoff.

"That will be the main debate in the selection over the next few days," Hussain said.

"Both the all-rounders have played in a game and we will have to weigh things up.

"Andrew has nothing to prove in our team.

He's been there for a year or two and has performed and the only thing he has to prove is whether he can do it two or three days' running because of his body now and whether we take that gamble.

"The first day of this week's game he was fine, but on the second day he was stiff and I don't know if he can do that over five days of intense Test match cricket if he's not 100% fit." Hussain also rebuffed suggestions in the Australian media that Flintoff's Test record - he averages 19.48 with the bat and 47.15 with the ball - raises questions over whether he should have been selected for the tour in the first place.

"Statistics aren't everything," Hussain insisted.

"As captain there are certain players you like having in your side and there are certain players with the potential of doing things that other players can't.

"There are certain players that when the ball is 70 overs old and other people are hiding will hold their hands up and do the tough yards for you, will always want to stand at slip to take the catches and who are strong enough to go out there with those statistics with the belief he can do it and Andrew Flintoff is one of those people.

"He's got to improve those statistics definitely, but anyone who has watched us and watched Freddie progress over the last year or so will have seen him do certain things that other people in England can't do." A decision on who plays is likely tomorrow, when England will train at the Gabba for the first time tomorrow after a day off today.

"Australia haven't seen the best of the England cricket team for a long while and it's up to whoever is selected to put that right this time," added Hussain.

"How we've done in the practice games does not have any great bearing on the Test, it's how we are on Thursday and Friday that counts.

"If Australia see the same old England then they will be very pleased, but if they see a new, strong, vibrant England with good body language who are doing the basics right then they will realise they are in a real fight this series.

"You play differently when you're under pressure, whatever side you are and too often now Australia have dictated terms by putting pressure on the opposition.

When you have no fear of losing a game and you can show all your skills and the crowd can get behind you, it's a very easy life and a very easy game.

"I've played against Australia and I don't believe our failings are down to a mental thing.

It's down to basic cricket skills.

I believe they practise their skills at such a level that it pays off in those pressure situations.

That's what we have to learn." Bad light brings England tour match to a close after Vaughan hundred BRISBANE, Nov 5 : England's last match before the start of the Ashes series on Thursday came to a somewhat gloomy end as a draw in Brisbane just before four o'clock local time with the light deteriorating and storm clouds gathering.

It could be said that these clouds were not only meteorological with the news that Darren Gough has received yet another setback to his recovery from knee problems, but a bright ray of sunshine came blazing through with Michael Vaughan's innings of 127 in his first innings since knee surgery.

England set out to use the final day for batting practice and reached 322 for seven when the draw was called.

Vaughan was the main beneficiary for, needing time in the middle to give his knee a thorough test before the Test, he spent the entire match on the field without reporting any serious repercussions.

The Yorkshireman resumed on 49 but was reprieved on a number of occasions before he reached his milestone in mid-afternoon from 169 balls with 18 fours and a six.

Dropped at slip by Martin Love the previous evening when on 45, he then had let-offs from the normally brilliant Andrew Symonds when on 75 and then a sharp chance to the wicket-keeper when three short of his hundred.

These escapes, however, should not detract from the value of Vaughan's innings.

Despite the form shown by his deputy, Robert Key, in earlier matches on the tour, England need a fit and in-form Vaughan at the top of the order to continue the burgeoning opening partnership with Marcus Trescothick.

He lost nigthwatchman Matthew Hoggard in the first over of the morning when he was caught behind by a diving Wayne Seccombe off Mike Kasprowicz without adding to his score.

That, in itself, was no bad thing as it allowed the recognised batsmen time in the middle.

Mark Butcher was perhaps in the most need of this, but twice came close to being run out in the early stages of his innings.

Butcher saw Vaughan go to his fifty and appeared to be on course to join him.

He had scores of 0,7,29 and 7 in his previous four innings on tour, but had reached 45 when he edged the first ball after lunch, bowled by Ashley Noffke, and was caught behind.

Nasser Hussain has been in rather more convincing form, but he lifted a drive against off-spinner Nathan Hauritz when he had 28 and was the victim of a diving catch in the deep by Kasprowicz when he had 28.

He had hit five fours in his stay to suggest that his game is still in good order.

Vaughan went next, lbw to Hauritz, and the off-spinner picked up his third wicket when John Crawley edged to Stuart Law at slip just before tea.

Crawley's unconvincing innings must leave his place in the Test side in some jeopardy.

Andrew Flintoff also failed, edging Lee Carseldine to Jimmy Maher at slip when on 3 to give the medium pacer his first first-class wicket, but Alec Stewart was on 30 with Ashley Giles 7 not out when the bad light intervened.

Parthiv Patel has been a revelation MUMBAI, Nov 5 : After having won the first two Test matches so convincingly, all that remained to be seen was whether India would make it a 3-0 clean sweep of the series.

West Indies for the best part of this Test series had struggled in all departments of the game, and there were no way one could see them avoiding a rout when the Test started.

But all credit to the to the tourists, they proved a lot of people, me included, wrong by scrapping hard at Eden Gardens.

The reason why one tends to be so pessimistic while rating the chances of Carl Hooper's men is simple.

They do not have the firepower when it comes to fast bowling.

And with their batting struggling on most occasions that leaves them in a very helpless situation indeed.

Even in Eden Gardens where they performed creditably, one could not help but be shocked by the sight of the likes of Cameron Cuffy trundling in and bowling medium-pace.

Take it from me that the West Indies can never regain their lost glory if their fast bowlers continue to perform in this vein.

Moving on to the Test, the one thing that struck me the most was the improvement in the West Indies fielding.

A few crucial catches were taken, unlike in Chennai.

Their bowlers also did a good job to restrict India to 275/6 on the first day, before failing rather dramatically on the second day.

This enabled the Indian tail to wag merrily - Parthiv Patel and Javagal Srinath were allowed the luxury of free hits as India posted a healthy total.

That said the contribution of Sanjay Bangar at the top of the Indian order must not be forgotten.

He may not be the most attractive stroke player in the team, but Bangar makes up for all that by doing a tremendous job as an opening batsman.

Not only did he top score with 77 but he also carried out the important job of seeing off the new ball.

One look at the second innings failure of Bangar at Kolkata and the events that followed proves Bangar's importance to this team.

When the West Indies replied, their batsmen showed commendable application.

They were helped to no small extent by the lack of discipline in the Indian bowling.

I am not too sure why our spin bowlers occasionally tend to forget the virtue of bowling a good line and length.

But they sure did make the task of Wavell Hinds, Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels easier.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul's success was an entirely different matter.

He is a tough cookie and relishes playing against India, as evidenced by the fact that five out of his six centuries have come against them.

His first hundred in the land of his ancestors must always remain an especially sweet one for him.

Looking back at the Test series, it was a very good one for India.

Sehwag and Bangar have emerged as a formidable opening pair.

Barring the unlucky Sourav Ganguly, all batsmen got big scores.

Even the bowling department did very well; I am impressed with the way Zaheer Khan bowled in the first two games.

And the two spinners Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble were just too good for the West Indies batsmen on helpful tracks.

Parthiv Patel has emerged as a stronger cricketer and has cemented his place in this Indian Test team.

He has been a revelation behind the stumps - trust me it is not an easy task to keep when the ball is jumping and turning.

The kid has developed a great deal since I first saw him at the NCA in Bangalore and I am sure that he will go on to represent India for many more years.

Moving on to the upcoming one-day series, I am sure it will be much more closer than the Test series.

Sachin Tendulkar's unfortunate hamstring injury gives India an opportunity to experiment a bit with the middle order.

It, for instance, will not be a bad idea to give Parthiv a few games in the course of this one-day series.

Before I sign off, let me, then, congratulate Ganguly and the boys for the Test series win.

Hope they will continue their scorching run in the one-day series too.

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