They have once again done what most said could not be done by them. West Indies saved themselves from proving their detractors right by saving the third Test to retain their 1-0 lead in the series but only just.
After England set a mammoth first innings total, West Indies looked predictably vulnerable about the prospect of avoiding the follow on, leave alone overhauling it. But England decided against enforcing the follow on and instead chose the path of setting another enormous total to add the West Indies’ deficit to ensure the hosts were not getting into a winning position on this one.
Set a target in excess of 500 and with a day and a half to go, West Indies, many felt, were in danger of slipping back to where they came from before that stupendous victory in Sabina Park. The success of the Test was also important from the point of view of erasing the memory of the disaster that was the second Test abandoned within the first ten balls of the match.
With centurion Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul at the crease, West Indies had something in the dressing room to give them hope and inspiration. As far as England were concerned, they were looking at seven wickets which in their opinion should not have been too difficult.
With four wickets in hand post tea, West Indies were soon one shy of losing the Test. But Darren Powell and Fidel Edwards did what Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn nearly pulled off in Sydney against Australia this year. Their partnership, expected to be broken for a thrilling victory for England, stood like a rock between England and rejoicing. England will now have to take solace from their batting and once again make a fist of the fight in the next.
Finishing the day and Test on 370 for 9 were certainly a lot better than their first innings of 285 all out. It was important not to slip up after the unprecedented celebrations that gripped the Caribbean island nations. West Indies had a tough fight, but they have survived to tell another tale, a woeful one though for England.
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