Friday 01, April-2005

It was a day to remember for the new-look West Indies cricket team. Wavell Wayne Hinds (right), spearheaded a fightback from the home team with an authoritative unbeaten 188 that crippled the South African bowling attack.
When he reached his hundred, Hinds, 28, was deservedly congratulated by the new man at the helm, Shiv Chanderpaul, who finished a rewarding day for the West Indies with a century of his own on his home ground at Bourda, Guyana. Nation News

by HAYDN GILL in Guyana

IN SIX short hours, the chaos and controversy hurting West Indies’ cricket was transformed into celebration and cheer here yesterday.

Instead of grumbling over contracts and sponsorship, the talk suddenly changed to blazing bats beating ball.

After a new-look West Indies marched to 347 for three on the opening day of the first Digicel Test against South Africa before 7 000 excited fans at Bourda, many would have forgotten that this was a team missing the cream of their strength.

Wavell Hinds, the subject of much pre-match speculation in relation to a players’ strike, played the innings of his life, a career-best unbeaten 188 that didn’t suggest this was a man who wasn’t thinking about playing cricket.

“I came to Guyana with all the intentions of playing. I am playing and intend to continue this game in a very positive manner,” said Hinds, who is vice-president of the West Indies Players’ Association.

“I have my people and my country to represent and I will try to do that with distinction.”

Chanderpaul became the third West Indies captain to complete a hundred in his first match at the helm and by stumps his partnership with Hinds was worth 241. The others before him were Jeffrey Stollmeyer and Clive Lloyd.

“I’m happy. I’m honoured. It’s always great to get a century at home. I give thanks to God for helping me through,” said Chanderpaul.

“Nobody expected us to go and do what we did today,” he continued.

When they accepted the umpires’ offer to go off for bad light at 5:43 p.m. with 8.1 overs remaining, they embraced, clenched fists and walked toward the Georgetown Cricket Pavilion more than satisfied with their day’s work.

It was a glorious exhibition from Hinds and Chanderpaul in the midst of the ongoing dispute that has led to the West Indies missing seven players who held personal endorsement contracts with Cable & Wireless.

Compliments of the Nation News

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