da betsson： The sign of the cross, a gesture of praise and gratitude forall Christians, has taken on a diametrically opposite meaning for WestIndian cricketers over the past week
da bet vitoria： Tony Cozier26-May-2000The sign of the cross, a gesture of praise and gratitude forall Christians, has taken on a diametrically opposite meaning for WestIndian cricketers over the past week.As the only one of his faith in the team representing the IslamicRepublic of Pakistan, Yousuf Youhana celebrates every landmark in aninnings with a religious acclamation more familiar in the Caribbeanthan in his homeland.It was evident twice on his way to 115 on the first day of the secondTest at Kensington Oval last Thursday that guided Pakistan throughearly troubles to a respectable total.Youhana was able to repeat it in similar circumatances on the firstday of the third, final and decisive Test here yesterday by scoring102 runs not out. For five-and-a-half hours and 228 balls ofunwavering concentration and flawless stroke selection, he kept theWest Indies at bay after they had justifiably chosen to bowl onwinning the toss and had once more undermined the early Pakistanbatting.The closest the West Indies came to removing him was when he snickedWalsh a couple of feet short of Shivnarine Chanderpaul at second slipwhen 27 and when his one hook stroke, off Walsh, just clearedAmbrose’s elongated stretch at fine leg and went for six to carry himinto the 90s.In a repetition of the previous two Tests, Pakistan battled their wayout of a tight spot to a satisfactory, if not commanding, position bythe end of the day’s 90 overs.Youhana and Inzamam-ul-Haq, who had been at the heart of the earlierrecoveries, shared a partnership of 97 with Youhana either side oflunch that steadied the innings.In yet another of the wholehearted spells that have characterised hislengthy career, Courtney Walsh removed the threatening Inzamam to acatch at point for 55, that included six meaty fours and a pulled outof-the-ground six off Ambrose, and the troublesome Abdur Razzaq fortwo just before tea.But the West Indies had neither the penetration nor the variety tosustain their advantage in conditions that always offered them someencouragement, especially in the opening exchanges.They could not budge Youhana, who received useful support insuccessive stands of 41 with his captain, Moin Khan, and 33 with WasimAkram before both fell to edged catches just when they threatened todisrupt West Indian plans even further.Moin edged low to ‘keeper Ridley Jacobs during a spell of eight oversfrom Franklyn Rose, as spirited as that from Walsh, whom he replaced.Akram was neatly taken by Sherwin Campbell, low down at first slip,off Reon King, who had an otherwise lacklustre day.West Indian frustration was compounded by Saqlain Mushtaq, who heldfirm for one hour before the tireless Walsh despatched him to anotherCampbell slip catch off his second delivery with the second new ballas the shadows lengthened.West Indian problems were typified by 16 no-balls, five more than intheir previous three innings in the series put together and shoddyground fielding that conceded two boundaries from overthrows.It was an unusual off-day for Ambrose, who bowled only five oversafter lunch and none at all after tea.There was the rare gamble of a couple of overs of unpractised leg-spinfrom Ramnaresh Sarwan. The youngster had previously sent down eight,wicketless overs all season and now went for 16 as Akram lashed a fourto midwicket and a huge six over the Richie Richardson Stand at longon.Yet the West Indies made their usual encouraging start.As if they didn’t have enough to concern them, Pakistan lost the tossand had to cope with a pitch spiced by preparation moisture.
