Shivnarine Chanderpaul celebrates his century against the Aussies in the first Test at Sabina Park on Saturday. - ricardo makyn
kingston, Jamaica (cmc)
West Indies batsmen need to learn from the way experienced Shivnarine Chanderpaul compiled his courageous century, captain Ramnaresh Sarwan said following his side's 95-run loss in the first Test at Sabina Park, yesterday.
Sarwan said Chanderpaul's 18th Test hundred was one of the positives from the match and was something his teammates should try to emulate.
"Obviously, we've got a lot to take from this match. We got Fidel (Edwards) bowling very well and Shiv's hundred," Sarwan pointed out.
Chanderpaul was floored by a painful blow on the back of the helmet by Aussie pacer Brett Lee, which left him in a daze but got up and went on to make 118 after receiving on-the-field treatment.
Determination and courage
"I thought he showed a lot of determination and courage. It is important that we try and take a page out of his book in the way he batted and we got to continue to be positive," Sarwan said.
He was also happy with the West Indies' fielding and bowling during the match.
"It was outstanding in both departments, especially in the fielding. It is the best I have seen us field in the longest while and it is really good for us. I hope that we can keep it up for the second Test match,"Sarwan remarked.
That Test starts in Antigua on Friday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, which will be hosting a Test match for the first time.
Sarwan said experienced opener Chris Gayle and quickly improving pacer Jerome Taylor were close to full recovery from their respective injuries and could be in the final 11, as the West Indies seek a victory to tie the three-match series which Australia lead 1-0.
"We just got to keep a close eye on them. Chris and Jerome will be a part of the squad that will be heading to Antigua, and hopefully we will just wait and see what happens there and that both of them will be fit for the game," Sarwan said.
"They are much better. Chris is about 75 to 80 per cent and Jerome is about 95 per cent."
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