Coach Dyson courting thoughts of Windies victory

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – West Indies coach John Dyson has not ruled out the possibility of a victory over Sri Lanka in the first Digicel Test at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.

Set a challenging 437 from a minimum of 113 overs, West Indies closed the fourth day on Tuesday with an encouraging start of 96 for one.

“We’ll just wait and see what happens tomorrow (Wednesday) morning and see how things pan out. History says it’s possible to get a total like that and it has been done in the West Indies before,” Dyson told reporters.

“You never put that total out of the question. These days, all teams look to win wherever possible and if the opportunity to win comes along, then we will look to take it.”

The highest successful run-chase in Test cricket was 418 that was achieved by West Indies against Australia at the Antigua Recreation Ground in 2003.

The hosts were given a positive start with makeshift opener Dwayne Bravo, who is unbeaten on 46, and Ramnaresh Sarwan, with 34 not out, featuring in an unbroken stand of 74 to leave West Indies needing a further 341 to win on the final day.

It was the first time that Bravo was opening the batting in a Test match and Dyson gave the thinking behind the decision of captain Chris Gayle to relegate himself down the order.

“Chris felt that it was a good chance to just have a change in this innings. He feels that Bravo is a very positive player. The thought of having a right-hand, left-hand opening combination in this innings was something worth thinking about,” Dyson said.

“Chris discussed it with me and the vice-captain and we said ‘if you think that’s the way to go we’ll support you’. It has turned out to be a very good decision.”

Dyson also gave his assessment of the pitch which has attracted varying views from the opposing teams.

While West Indians Ramnaresh Sarwan and Jerome Taylor said the track lacked pace and bounce, Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said it was difficult for batting.

“It might not be Mahela’s ideal pace even though he got a hundred. He hasn’t got a hundred here before. Malinda Warnupara thinks it is a pretty good deck,” Dyson said.

“There are a couple of their main batsmen who are still kicking themselves that they got out in the first innings.

“I know that we’ve got a few batsmen who kicked themselves that they didn’t make better use of the wicket.”