Dellmar photo
West Indies opening batsman Wavell Hinds
celebrates after reaching his double century in the first Test against South Africa at Bourda Oval in Guyana yesterday. Hinds scored 213.GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC:
DESPITE RUMOURS of a possible players strike, double century-maker Wavell Hinds (213) said the West Indies team had always been committed to playing in the first Test against South Africa which started Thursday.
The 28-year-old Hinds, who recovered from a difficult dropped chance on 13 to score a brilliant unbeaten 188 on the opening day of the Test, said in a post-match interview on Thursday that the players were all committed to West Indies cricket.
COMMITTED
"We were committed from the time we joined the camp and put in the extra work and with the issues going on, there has been talk about, but our goal is that we are first and foremost cricketers," Hinds pointed out.
"West Indies cricket has been in the papers a lot negatively and the only way to put that straight is to come out on the playing field and show the people what we are worth."
The hard-hitting Jamaican, who is also vice-president of the West Indies Players' Association that is at loggerheads with the West Indies Cricket Board, said that the only way to respond to the negative views of West Indies cricket recently was to go out on to the field and get the job done.
"With all the things going on what we must be cognisant of is that West Indies cricket is bigger than anybody and that is the common denominator with all things going on," Hinds explained.
"All we need to do is to put our heads down, play some good cricket and I think the powers that be will work themselves out."
The West Indies fielded an under-par team in the first Test with regular starters Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan ruled ineligible and Brian Lara opting not to play.
FLUENT STROKE PLAY
Hinds looked fluent in his stroke play from the start of his innings and attributed his good form to recent hard work.
"I've been doing some work since the first training camp in November before going to Australia and it (form) has been improving and I intend to continue doing that and try to work on all the deficiencies in my game," Hinds said.
It was Hinds' fifth century in Tests, after making his debut in the home series against Zimbabwe back in 2000.
Scoreboard
WEST INDIES 1st innings (overnight 347 for three)
W. Hinds c wkpr Boucher
b Langeveldt 213
D. Smith c wkpr Boucher b Nel 11
D. Ganga c wkpr Boucher b Nel 0
D. Pagon c Kallis b Nel 35
S. Chanderpaul not out 203
R. Hinds c Kallis b Boje 48
N. Deonarine not out 15
Extras (lb8 nb8 w2) 18
TOTAL (5 wkts decl'd,
152.1 overs) 543
Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-24, 3-106, 4-390, 5-506.
Did not bat: C. Browne, D. Powel l, P. Collins, R. King.
Bowling: N'tini 23-5-98-0 (nb4), Nel 33-8-93-3 (nb1), Langeveldt 27-5-65-1
(nb2 w1), Hall 16-4-53-0 (nb-1), Kallis 14-3-70-0 (w1), Boje 29.1-2-106-1,
Smith 10-0-50-0.
p>SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings
G. Smith not out 01
A. Villiers not out 00
Extras (nb1) 1
TOTAL (without loss, 0.1 overs) 2
To bat: J. Rudolph, J. Kallis, H. Gibbs, M. Boucher, A . Hall, N. Boje, M.
Ntini, C. Langeveldt, A. Nel.
Bowling Collins 0.1 - 0 - 2 - 0 (nb-1).
Umpires: Aleem Dar, David Shepherd
