By Frederick Halley

WEST Indies skipper Brian Lara ‘tosses’ as Steve Waugh, who became the world’s most capped Test player, yesterday, and Match Referee Mike Proctor, look on. (Pictures by Winston Oudkerk)

The 2003 World Cup champions, who are aiming to reclaim their number one ranking in Test cricket, had made a positive reply by the close and in 135 minutes batting were 120 for one with opener Justin Langer unbeaten on 55 and vice-captain Ricky Ponting 46.

The two, who joined forces when Matthew Hayden was needlessly run-out by a direct throw from Vasbert Drakes at mid-on, have so far featured in an unfinished second-wicket partnership of 83 in 91 minutes.

The day however belonged to Chanderpaul despite the West Indies’ shaky position. Sharing a face-saving electrifying sixth-wicket partnership of 131 in just 101 minutes with injured wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs who was undefeated on 54 when the innings closed, Chanderpaul thrilled the fair-sized Bourda crowd with a series of scintillating strokes in his boundary-studded even century.

In an incredible display, Chanderpaul raced to three-figure mark off 69 balls to register the third fastest century in Test cricket, bettered only by Sir Vivian Richards 56-ball knock against England at the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) in 1986 and Australian J.M. Gregory’s 67-ball effort versus South Africa in Johannesburg in 1921.

But apart from Jacobs and to a lesser extent skipper Brian Lara, the rest of the home team’s batting crumbled against a steady Australian bowling attack

A DELIGHTED Shivnarine Chanderpaul celebrates reaching his seventh Test century.

The Guyanese left-hander, who entered the match with centuries in his last two regional innings against the Windward Islands and Jamaica respectively, immediately stamped his authority on proceedings with an effortless on-driven boundary off fast bowler Andy Bichel and by lunch had stroked four more in his 28 not out, and already showing signs of what was to unfold. His partner Jacobs was on 13 and West Indies 89 for five.

Chanderpaul had looked on from the pavilion as debutant Devon Smith (three) was adjudged lbw off fast bowler Brett Lee in the day’s fifth over with only nine runs on the board, Television replays showed the 21-year-old Grenadian was unlucky to be given out after clearly getting an inside edge to the full-length delivery.

CHANDERPAUL kisses the pitch after reaching the coveted three-figure mark.

Lara, who joined Wavell Hinds, launched a counter-attack on the Australian pace attack with a series of deft drives, especially through the off-side, including two spanking consecutive cover drives for fours off Gillespie.

A double blow by wily left-arm spinner Brad Hogg with the score on 47 as Lara looked on helplessly from the other end must have stunned the West Indies skipper. Hinds, who looked solid, if not flamboyant against the pacers, opened up with a splendid extra cover drive in Hogg’s first over and in attempting to repeat the stroke in the next, lofted the bowler straight to Langer at mid-off.

Disaster struck the very next ball when new batsman, Marlon Samuels, driving loosely, edged and was snapped up at slip by a delighted Hayden.

RIDLEY Jacobs is down, but not out, after attempting to sweep leg-spinner Stuart MacGill.

It was ‘showtime’ after that, with Chanderpaul taking centre stage and Jacobs playing second fiddle.

Batting as if possessed after lunch, Chanderpaul raced to 50 off 37 balls in 64 minutes, reaching the milestone with a huge six over mid-wicket off leg-spinner Stuart MacGill.

Chanderpaul then unleashed an attack on the leg-spinner, taking 14 off one over including his second six in the same direction, an exquisite straight drive and a glance to fine leg.

The Australians spoiled an opportunity to separate the two when Jacobs on 25 was dropped by Lee at extra cover off a returning Gillespie.

Undaunted by Jacobs’ chance, Chanderpaul continued his merciless attack on the spinners, taking a special liking for MacGill and was soon into the nineties, counting two more fours off the Australian, the first a neat flick through backward square-leg and the other through backward point.

A super cool and confident Chanderpaul reached his seventh Test century and his second consecutive at Bourda with a superlative cover drive off MacGill, his last 72 runs since lunch coming in just 59 minutes off 32 balls while the hundred included 15 fours, two sixes and a five in 99 minutes.

The incredible performance followed the 140 made against India at the same venue last year when former captain Carl Hooper also slammed an unbeaten 233 in the rain-affected first Test.

Chanderpaul celebrated by punching the air and his now customary kissing of the pitch. His celebration however did not last long as he was given marching orders, via lbw, while writhing in agony on the pitch, victim of a bruised knee suffered when struck by fast bowler Bichel. Chanderpaul left the Bourda sward like a Royalty, driven off on the motorised water cart but still received a standing ovation from his home crowd. He was seen hobbling into the pavilion.

In the meantime, Jacobs was still hobbling around in the middle, with Hinds as his runner after being struck attempting a sweep shot off MacGill. This did not prevent him from launching into Bichel and hoisting the big fast bowler out of the ground over long-on for six while Mervyn Dillon also joined the fray with some fine shots.

If the umpire’s decision to send Lara on his way took a long time, many fans at Bourda seemed dumbfounded when umpire de Silva, in what must be rated as one of the longest time to make an lbw decision, sent Dillon on his way for 20 after he had added a valuable 38 with Jacobs. The delayed decision followed several pleas from MacGill.

Jacobs eventually reached a brave half-century but was left high and dry on 54 after Pedro Collins (three) was stumped off MacGill and Lawson’s middle stump was rocked back by Lee. Jacobs’ innings included six fours and a six in 162 minutes off 106 balls.

The Australian pair of Langer and Hayden started with their usual gusto but at 37, the latter was run-out by inches, attempting a sharp single to Drakes at mid-on -- the TV umpire coming into action for the first time during the hectic day which saw 357 runs being scored for the loss of 11 wickets.

The left-right combination of Langer and Ponting was hardly ever bothered, with the latter reminding fans of his match-winning performance in the World Cup final with some elegant drives and pulls.

Play starts at 09.35 hrs today after bad light had halted play yesterday with nine overs still remaining.

WEST INDIES first innings

W. Hinds c Langer b Hogg 10

D. Smith lbw Lee 3

D. Ganga b Gillespie 0

B. Lara lbw Bichel 26

M. Samuels c Hayden b Hogg 0

S. Chanderpaul lbw Bichel 100

R. Jacobs not out 54

V. Drakes c wkpr Gilchrist b Bichel 0

M. Dillon lbw MacGill 20

P. Collins stp. wkpr Gilchrist b MacGill 3

J. Lawson b Lee 0

Extras: (b-10, lb-2, nb-6, w-3) 21

Total: (all out, 50.3 overs) 237

Fall of wickets: 9, 10, 47, 47, 53, 184, 184, 222, 236, 237.

Bowling: Lee 10.3-1-40-1 (nb-5, w-3), Gillespie 12-3-40-1, Bichel 8-1-55-3, Hogg 8-1-40-2, MacGill 12-4-49-2 (nb-1).

AUSTRALIA first innings

J. Langer not out 55

M. Hayden run-out 10

R. Ponting not out 46

Extras: (lb-5, nb-4) 9

Total: (for one wicket, 28 overs) 120

Fall of wickets: 37.

Bowling: Dillon 9-0-49-0, Collins 7-0-25-0 (nb-3), Lawson 4-0-27-0, Drakes 7-4-13-0 (nb-1), Samuels 1-0-1-0.

Chanderpaul cherishes stroke-filled knock
By Ezra Stuart
RELIABLE West Indies middle-order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who smashed the third fastest century in Test cricket against Australia at Bourda yesterday, says he will always cherish the stroke-filled knock as it was smooth-sailing throughout.

The slimly built Chanderpaul motored to his seventh Test century off a mere 69 balls to write his name in the record book.

Chanderpaul, who flayed the varied five-pronged Australian attack for 15 fours and two sixes in just 101 minutes, said he never set out to launch an assault on the Aussies' bowling.

“Nothing was planned but I was just happy that it (century) happened today (yesterday). It was just one of those days when you happen to get out there and things just went your way,” noted Chanderpaul at the end of the day's play.

However, Chanderpaul said he was not pleased that the West Indies managed only a modest total of 237 after winning the toss and batting on a typically placid Bourda pitch.

“I am a bit disappointed in our performance,” said Chanderpaul while noting it is now up to the bowlers to restrict the Australian batsmen.

He reckoned that the West Indian bowlers must put the ball in the right areas and “make them (Australian batsmen) work for their runs and play some hard cricket.”

It was Chanderpaul’s second consecutive century on home soil following his brilliant 140 against India last year and the Georgetown Cricket Club player said he always enjoys playing on his home turf at Bourda.

“It’s always happy to be home and playing in front your home crowd,” remarked Chanderpaul, who is just two runs shy of the 4 000-mark in his 64th Test.

“There are a lot of other supporters from all over. I just can’t say where but I guess they had a good day of cricket today (yesterday) and I am happy also,” Chanderpaul said.

The usually ice-cool Chanderpaul, who is senior member of the West Indies side but has been overlooked for leadership positions in the team, said he is unhappy about statements made about him and he now only focuses on playing cricket.

“Let me tell you the truth right now. I just go out and play the cricket as I see it because things haven’t been going pretty well recently,” Chanderpaul charged.

“A lot of things been going around, (people) saying some things about me that I don’t really like and I just go out and play the cricket and do my job,” he declared.

Chanderpaul, who came to the crease with the West Indies in dire straits at 47 for four and then 53 for five when new captain Brian Lara was out for 26, said he was never worried about the pitch.

“Once you get a start at Bourda, that’s all you waiting for,” Chanderpaul said.

“You know one or two balls might keep low (but) you just want to pace your innings in a way, hit what you see and defend what is there to defend and take it along as you see it,” Chanderpaul reasoned.