West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan ... "we played very competitively throughout the (Lord's) Test match, and we showed some sort of fight." - AP photo LEEDS, England (CMC):
THE WEST Indies hope to use the momentum they gained from the drawn first Test to play more competitively in the second Test against England, which started this morning at Headingley.
Many held out little hope for West Indies in the series, following the dramatic retirement of batting superstar, Brian Lara, and the sudden resignation of head coach, Bennett King, at the end of the World Cup, staged in the Caribbean for the first time.
Though England's batsmen revelled to score five hundreds, and the hosts had the luxury of declaring twice in the match, new West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan felt delighted about the way his side fought to stay in contention.
"Playing so well at Lord's, and drawing a Test match a lot of people said we would lose - that meant a lot to us," he told reporters on the eve of the match.
"That should give us momentum for this match. We played very competitively throughout the Test match, and we showed some sort of fight. That is something which has been lacking from us for some time."
Sarwan added it was very important for West Indies to build on their performance at Lord's, since there are no excuses now for lack of performance.
"When I got here in England, I said our aim has to be much more consistent than in the past," he said.
"There was a lot of talk about us not getting too much practice before the first game, but now we've had sufficient practice, and spent plenty of time in the middle bowling and batting, so I think we've come on a long way."
Formulated counter measures
Sarwan disclosed that West Indies had formulated counter-measures to put some of the pressure back on England, including letting the bouncers fly.
"One positive we can take from the last game is that we bowled quite a few short balls in the second innings," he said.
"In the first innings, we were very hesitant about it - a couple of our players looked very shy. That is one of the tactics we might use in this game."
If Sarwan and West Indies succeed in carrying out their plans, it would all mean additional pressure for Michael Vaughan, who returns to the helm of the England side after an 18-month absence.
Vaughan could not have chosen a better place for his return to captain the Test side. It takes place at his county ground, and it will be his first match in charge, since he led England in a Test against Pakistan in December 2005 in Lahore.
It will also be his first Test on home soil, since a draw in the final Ashes Test against Australia two years ago at The Oval.
Questions linger about Vaughan's form and fitness, after he overcame a career-threatening knee injury, and in recent weeks, a broken right middle finger, which kept him out of the Lord's Test.
"You are always under pressure playing international cricket; that is what I live for and why I want to play this week," he said.
"I know I need some runs and I am pretty confident I can get a few. The first day of any Test match you have nerves, but when you've had a bit of a break like I have it almost feels like you are starting again."
Very excited
Vaughan said he was very excited about getting out there and playing again.
"What I do have is a lot of fond memories and a lot to draw back on," he said.
"If I can re-live my net form in the middle, get over that tricky half an hour, like in any innings, I am sure I can get a few runs this week."
Many have questioned of allowing Vaughan to play, despite not testing his fitness in a county match, but the England captain said he is 'a special case'.
"Are you going to start calling me Jose?" making reference to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, the self-titled 'special one'.
"I am England captain, I have made myself available for selection and I've been selected. Surely that is a positive thing? I want to play cricket.
"Yes, in a wonderful world I would have liked to have had a four-day game behind me, but that is not the case."
