D.K. DuncanWHEN THE umpires signalled the close of play on the third day of the second Test match at Sabina Park, cricket continued to caricature life. A young team from Bangladesh had surprised a struggling West Indies team in the first Test in St. Lucia. The concerned Captain of the West Indies team decided to put his leadership on the line. By the end of the third day on Sunday his leadership seemed intact. Unless cricket, like life, has some great surprise in store over the final two days.
The ground was not full to capacity. What might have been lacking in quantity may have been compensated for by quality. Knowledgeable cricketing posses seemed to have found refuge in all the stands - none were completely empty. On the 'Mound' many proclaimed themselves as analysts. Undoubtedly this was so as statistics and wide ranging points of view punctuated the editorial comments of the 'Renaissance Disco'. The eastern stand had an unusual buzz while the traditional analysts of the George Headley Stand held sway.
THE TRUMP CARD
The Captain had returned to Jamaica - the lion's den of cricket. The last time the West Indies team performed here they created an unenviable record - scoring a mere forty seven runs in a Test innings against England. Brian Lara set up a dialectical situation for the first three days which has not been in evidence at Sabina for some time. As one of those leaders who attract great love and admiration simultaneously with unabashed hatred and disdain - at least in Jamaica - he played his trump card. He declared that he would resign if he did not lead his team to victory over five full days of cricket. For some this was joy - for others disappointment.
DAY ONE
This dialectical situation played itself out on the 'Mound' on those first three days. The analysts were in full flight from Friday - day one. The stage could not have been set more perfectly. The Bangladesh Captain won the toss and decided to bat which is what Lara might have had them do. The wicket was supposed to be very lively. It was barely so. Bangladesh batted all day - after another creditable recovery from a bad start. Lara's leadership was under the microscope. The protagonists and the antagonists battled it out as only captains "beyond the boundary" can. They seemed to be reserving judgement for Day 2.
DAY TWO
Saturday - was the piece de resistance. This day would determine Brian Lara's continued captaincy of the West Indies Team. The voices were raised. Pro-Lara and anti-Lara sentiments, Caribbean unity and Caribbean insularity, statistics galore provided a heavy diet for the few who did not participate vocally. Ever so often a voice asserted itself above the din - 'Jamaica nice'. The basis for this assertion would be lucidly explained from time to time. The Bangladesh first innings was completed early on the second day. The West Indies showed promise but lost two wickets relatively early.
The connoisseurs in the George Headley Stand gave the captain a rousing ovation as he strolled to the crease. Other stands joined in. The mound was deep into conflict. As Brian Lara settled, it was clear that the majority of the analysts were fully behind him. Stamping his class on the occasion it was clear that he was about to lead from in front. With each boundary the Disco editorialised using Elephant Man's latest admonition "You too bad mind". Lara made only one false stroke while completing a century just before the close of the second day. Jamaicans had seen this before. They were reassured.
DAY THREE
His young vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan who also completed a century on Day 2 went on to consolidate a workmanlike double on Day 3 with his Guyanese partner Chanderpaul who contributed the third century of the innings. With a first innings declaration on Day 3, Brian Lara's script was intact. Leading from in front, he may yet continue to captain the West Indies Team. One Love, One Heart.
A Dental Surgeon, Dr. D.K. Duncan is a former Cabinet Minister and General Secretary in the PNP Administration of the 1970's.
