jamarchRamnaresh Sarwan believes the West Indies are still capable of conjuring up an unlikely win in the 4th Digicel Test despite the fact that that the first four days have produced a total 1355 runs for the loss of just 15 wickets.
“Anything is possible. Obviously you all saw what happened in the first Test in Jamaica,” Sarwan said after play. “I think the lead that we have is very valuable to us.
“Hopefully we can come tomorrow and get the ball in the right areas and pick up 10 wickets. Obviously, the wicket is beginning to deteriorate as well, a few balls kept low today so I think we have an interesting day ahead.”
The West Indies lead the five-match series 1-0 following a dramatic innings victory in the 1st Digicel Test in Jamaica, where England were routed for 51.
“I don’t know if that would be in their minds but certainly it will be in our minds,” Sarwan added. “Hopefully we can come tomorrow and pick up a few early wickets and put them under some pressure, and we’re able to take that initiative in the first hour, hour and a half or so.”
Sarwan’s brilliant innings (career-best of 291), along with wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin’s maiden Test century of 166 guided the home team to a mammoth 749-9 declared in reply to England’s big first innings of 600-6 declared.
The visitors closed day four on six without loss in two overs.
The 23-year-old Ramdin was so confident he would reach an elusive first test hundred that, Sunday morning, he scribbled a note and took it to the crease with him when he resumed.
When he eventually reached the landmark his spontaneous celebrations ended with him pulling that piece of paper from his pocket to reveal the names of Sarwan and fellow Trinidadians, David Williams and Ian Bishop.
“I got up this morning and wrote Sars’ name, our coach David Williams and Ian Bishop, those are three guys who played an important part in myself getting ready to go out there and play that big knock,” Ramdin said after Day four.
Ramdin revealed that Bishop, a former Test fast bowler, now commentator, had a long chat before the match that gave him belief in his ability while Williams, a former Test wicket-keeper, has worked long and hard with his protégé over the last few seasons. Sarwan, he said, was his guide in the middle.
Sarwan racked up his own career-best at the other end, but was disappointed to miss out on joining Brian Lara, Sir Garry Sobers, Chris Gayle and Lawrence Rowe as West Indies triple centurions.
“I was very upset but, at the same time, you have to accept that it probably could have been worse,” Sarwan said. “I guess there will be other opportunities and, hopefully, whenever they come around, I’ll be able to capitalize.”
The Guyanese, who closed in on 600 runs in the series with this innings, which followed scores of 107, 94 and 106, admitted he was in the form of his life: “Stats wise, yes, it would show it’s the best I’ve ever played. There’ve been times I’ve timed the ball much better but I’ll take it as it is. Yes, it’s definitely the best I’ve been playing so far.”
A miraculous West Indies win would be the icing on the cake.
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