At the moment this second Test match is clearly in our favour. The fourth morning is going to be very important to us. It is crucial that Denesh Ramdin and Brian Lara form a partnership to give us a sizeable lead. We would not want to be batting on this wicket last and having to chase any runs.
It was really good to see young Jerome Taylor getting a five-wicket haul. It is well deserved and he bowled really well in the Champions Trophy and he is continuing with the same form here. I thought Corey (Collymore) was outstanding as well but unlucky at times. I thought the other bowlers really tried hard and I must commend all of them on the effort to restrict Pakistan to 357 on a flat batting wicket.
In replying to Pakistan's total I don't think we could have asked for a better start. Chris (Gayle) and Daren (Ganga) played really well. It's a pity that both of them did not get hundreds which they deserved. It's really good to see both of them continuing with their form, Chris from Champions Trophy and Daren from the home series against India. What was evident was the support they had for each other when they were batting and that is a really good sign for an
opening pair of any good team. I thought Johnny (Dwayne Bravo) played well and he also deserved a hundred but unfortunately he got out. However what was most important was the partnership between him and Brian.
After the foundation was laid I thought it was an opportunity for us to capitalize and that is exactly what Brian did. It was really a wonderful innings to watch. From the time he went in there he was positive and confident. I hope he goes on to get a bigger score tomorrow to put the team in an unassailable position where we can only win or draw the game. Pakistan would then be under pressure to save the game.
On a personal note I was surprised and disappointed that I wasn't playing in this test. But I still have a responsibility to support my team-mates which I have always done on and off the field. I see this disappointment as only making me stronger. I have gotten over much worse than this in my life and my career and overcoming this obstacle is not going to be any different for me.
I have done it in the past so this is just another test of my character. I am working hard as usual and whenever given the opportunity again I will try my utmost to ensure that I use it wisely.
A friend had always told me that the greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time you fall. This bit of advice is especially poignant at this time.
Extremely adept at pummeling the opposition into submission, Chris Gayle is as cool and calm as opening batsmen come. He even goes by the nickname ‘Verucci’ – part Versace, part Gucci – because of his interest in fashion.
One of mainstays of the West Indian cricket team, Ramnaresh Sarwan is a technically accomplished batsman possessing a wide range of classy strokes.
He was appointed captain following the retirement of Brian Lara after the 2007 World Cup.
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