By Tony Becca - From The Boundary 
THE HISTORY of cricket is filled with so many brilliant, match-winning recoveries that one never knows what will happen from one day to another and, after a poor start, the West Indies could come back and save the first Test against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai - probably even win it.
At stumps on the first day, India, on 278 for two with Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar at the crease, with Sourav Ganguly and V.V.S. Laxman to come, were in a wonderful position from which to win, and barring a stunning turnaround, such as what happened in Hamilton in 1999 when the West Indies, batting first, hopped to 282 for one against New Zealand on the first day of the first Test and lost by nine wickets, they should go on and do so.
There were three reasons for India's dominance on the first day.
While it may well be that it is because he has little or no respect for the West Indies bowlers, one reason was captain Ganguly's confidence in his batsmen when he won the toss and decided to bat on a newly-laid pitch - a pitch that was supposed to be faster than usual and which did not look too good for batting.
The second reason was the batting of Virender Sehwag and Sanjay Bangar who posted a record 201 for the first wicket with Sehwag, the attacker, stroking 24 boundaries and hitting three sixes while scoring 147 off 207 deliveries and Bangar, the sheet anchor, scoring 55.
The third reason, which was once again disappointing but therefore not surprising was that the West Indies, who, based on their recent history, would have bowled first had they won the toss, played some terrible cricket.
For a team playing at the highest level, for a team that is supposed to have turned the corner, the bowling was wayward and lacking in skill, and although the ground fielding was reasonable, the catching was poor.
Apart from a few deliveries from left-arm pacer Pedro Collins early in the innings, the bowling was so innocuous that it was surprising that although they were, four or five catches were offered.
Based on the history of the game, the West Indies could hit back, pick up a some early wickets and play themselves back into contention and that would be good.
That, however, would be surprising. It would be surprising because with their fast bowlers appearing tired after two or three overs and not doing much with the ball even when they are on target, with their main spin bowler failing to spin the ball, the West Indies just do not appear to have the bowlers capable of doing enough damage to turn the Test match upside down.
On top of that, the players do not appear focussed.
With so many of them, including the fast bowlers, wearing watches and bracelets, with gold chains dangling around their necks, what is really disturbing is that the West Indies players continue to appear dressed for a party and not a battle.
