By Tony Becca,
Senior Sport Editor
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua:
THE fourth Test between the West Indies and South Africa opens at the Antigua Recreation Ground this morning and for the home team it is crunch time.
The Windies, despite a dismal away record over the past three years, boast a wonderful record at home, and the mission over the next five days is to step up and protect it.
In 38 series at home they have won 26, lost six and drawn six, the last time they lost was in 1995 when they went down 2-1 to Australia, the last time they drew was in 1999 when Australia won the final match to share the series 2-2.
Before that, the last time they lost was in 1973 when Australia won 2-0 and the last drawn series was the 1-1 tie with England in 1974.
That record, however, a record that includes an unbeaten run with only one draw from 1974 to 1994, and despite losing 3-0 in Pakistan, 5-0 in South Africa, 2-0 in New Zealand, 3-1 in England and 5-0 in Australia, is now on the line.
One down after losing the second Test at Bourda, the West Indies have to win this Test match if they hope to win the series. With only one match remaining after this one, if they draw it they can only hope to draw the series and if they lose it they cannot win the series.
Victory, therefore, is a must for the Windies and although the breath of life was running out when time ran out at Kensington Oval, they could rise up, win the Test match, and go to Sabina Park on level terms and with a chance to steal the series.
They could win it for the simple reason that although it has demonstrated the champion's ability to strike when it matters most, even though the West Indies team, in contrast, has failed to fire when it matters most, this South Africa team is far from invincible.
With a little luck, or with better use of their resources as far as the batting order is concerned, the West Indies, after hanging on to save the third Test, after stretching gamesmanship to its limit, could easily have been enjoying the lead.
After dominating the action for four days, the West Indies went into the final day of the second Test needing 200 runs to win with nine wickets in hand and favourites to come out winners.
As it was at Kensington Oval when they turned what was expected to be a dull stalemate into a gripping finish, however, their batsmen crumbled and they lost without a fight.
It is the memory of that opportunity, however, plus the times they made early inroads into South Africa's batting, plus their own fighting spirit up to their second innings on the last day at Queen's Park Oval and again on the last day at Kensington Oval why many fans, the captain and the manager believe the West Indies can take South Africa.
"This team can be beaten, we can beat them," says manager Ricky Skerritt. "We can beat this team, and before it is over, we should win even one match," says captain Carl Hooper.
If they win this one, it will be 1-1 and the stage would then be set for the decider in Kingston.
There are two questions to answer, however: Are they good enough to win it and can they really win it?
Looking at the teams, the odds favour South Africa. The tourists boast a more varied attack, a more consistent set of bowlers, and although they do not possess a batsman in the class of Brian Lara and probably Hooper, they also parade, not more talented players but more experienced and accomplished batsmen.
On top of that, despite a few lapses by Darryl Cullinan at slip, they are brilliant in the field.
South Africa are favourites, no question about that. The West Indies, however, can take them, and although Allan Donald can make a difference, it may not matter whether the injured fast bowler plays or not.
In preparing for this crucial encounter, the West Indies had a long net session yesterday morning and, in planning for it, they are looking at bringing in left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell for one the fast bowlers and batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul for Marlon Samuels.
If they go for McGarrell instead of one the three pacers in the squad, it will be the first time since 1976 at Queen's Park Oval when India knocked 406 for four to win the West Indies would be going into a Test match with only two fast bowlers and with two specialist spinners.
What is important for the West Indies, however, is the form of Lara and Hooper, the consistency of the bowlers in terms of line and length, the ability to take catches and the batting order.
If as expected, the experienced Chanderpaul replaces Samuels it may not matter. If it is the same line-up, however, the order could be vital to the Windies fortunes.
If the selectors stick with Samuels, then Lara should move up to No. 3, and although there are good arguments for the captain to stay at No. 6, the Windies big bat should be followed by Hooper and then Ramnaresh Sarwan and Samuels.
