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Lara bid comes apart at seamers

This article is more than 20 years old
Australia 240

West Indies 240

Brian Lara had an early chance to turn his words into actions as West Indies went in search of a first innings lead against Australia on the second day of the fourth Test in Antigua.

Captain Lara was clear what his side had to do to build on their early advantage in what is expected to be a low scoring match. He said: 'The guys have to realise that they've got to settle down and bat. Even [big hitting] Vasbert Drakes has to go there and apply himself.

'Our aim is to bat as long as possible in the Test match. We need 240 to overhaul their total and when we get there we have to bat on.'

But the prospect of any first innings lead, never mind a sizeable one, was disappearing fast as West Indies took lunch at 140 for six, with Lara unbeaten on 40.

Nightwatchman Drakes did not let his captain down, surviving 49 deliveries and contributing a useful 21 before he was lbw to Brett Lee. The Australian paceman had also taken the first wicket of the morning when Devon Smith was caught behind.

Lara then began to show his quality on a Recreation Ground pitch that has something in it for both bat and ball. He raced along in a fifth wicket partnership of 57 with Ramnaresh Sarwan. The stand ended when Sarwan offered seamer Andy Bichel a return catch driving at a ball that appeared to stop on him.

Home hopes then suffered a further blow in the penultimate over before lunch when Shivnarine Chanderpaul appeared to play down the wrong line and was bowled by Glenn McGrath for one.

Lara had been smiling for the first time in the series after his young team bundled out Australia on the first day of the final Test as they looked avoid a 4-0 whitewash by the tourists, something the West Indies have never experienced at home.

Fast bowler Jermaine Lawson was the home side's hero, claiming career-best figures of seven for 78, and Lara said: 'It was nice batting after bowling out Australia on the first day of the Test match,' said Lara. 'If you look at all the first days of the four Test matches, I think it was our best start. We showed signs of improvement and I think we must congratulate the boys.'

Lara was delighted with the effort of Lawson but believes all his bowlers did a wonderful job to help dismiss Australia. He said: 'Jermaine was the pick of the bowlers but credit has to be given to [Mervyn] Dillon who got two crucial wickets in the middle.

'We still have a lot of work to do in the field, though. We are dropping catches and that will cost us dearly if we continue doing so but and I think we are coming around.'

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