Anthony Foster, Freelance WriterWEST INDIES captain Brian Lara believes yesterday's opening day performance by his team in the first Cable & Wireless Test against England showed his side's batting prowess.
"I heard a lot of talk about batting being our strength and I'm almost certain that Smith's (Devon) and Hinds' (Ryan) names would have been left out," Lara stated after they steered the West Indies to a respectable total.
Lara said apart from the four experienced guys, Chris Gayle (five), Ramnaresh Sarwan (zero), himself (23) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (seven) in the team, "they (Smith and Hinds) showed us up today.
"They showed their quality, they showed what they are capable of ... and it says that we have a good batting team and it augurs well for us. The less experienced of us are doing well and it will give the rest of the batters the impetus to give a more collective effort."
Meanwhile, Smith said his contribution was crucial to attaining a good score. "I knew that somebody from the top order had to stay and I took the opportunity," he said, while giving credit to the help he received from Sir Gary Sobers.
"I think it was a great week working with Gary (Sobers), I learnt a lot," he said.
When asked if England's bowlers let them off the hock, Lara, who fell to a catch at second slip: I'm not here to comment on the England bowling, I'm here to assess the game and I thought we rallied well."
He did admit England had them on the ropes but the Smith and Hinds partnership pulled them out.
"I think that at 71 for four, England were a bit on top at that time but getting to 281 for five and capitulating after that it's a bit disappointing ... but all in all I'm quite happy for young Smith, I think he played well."
England's Simon Jones, who spoke on behalf of his team, said he was happy to take Lara's wicket.
"Taking Brian Lara's wicket was a great feeling. It's what I've been waiting for the past 16 months."
He continued: "(Lara's) wicket was a real confidence booster."
