Ramnaresh Sarwan signing autographs in Antigua Wednesday.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, May 29, CMC – West Indies stand-in skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan hopes says the regional side must use their impressive showing in the opening Digicel Test against Australia as a boon ahead of the second match starting in Antigua on Friday.

 

“I think we’ve got to be positive. We’ve got a lot to take from (the first Test) match,” Sarwan said.

 

“We’ve got Fidel (Edwards) bowling very well and Shiv’s (Chanderpaul) hundred, I thought he showed a lot of determination and it’s important that we take a page out of the way he batted and we have to continue to be positive.”

 

West Indies lost the opening Test at Sabina Park in Jamaica by 95 runs on Monday, to go behind 1-0 in the three-Test series.

 

Despite the loss, the Windies turned in a heartening performance with Chanderpaul notching up his 18 Test century and Edwards collecting a five-wicket haul.

 

“I thought we played well throughout the Test match. The bowlers bowled well especially in the second innings and they gave the batters an opportunity to actually get a total that we could have batted and win the game but unfortunately it didn’t happen that way,” said the 27-year old Sarwan.

 

“It’s really good for us, I hope we can keep it up and get better in Second Test match.”

 

West Indies are expected to be boosted by the return of captain Chris Gayle who missed his home Test with a groin injury.

 

The regional side are also hoping on the fitness of fast bowler Jerome Taylor who also missed the Jamaica Test through injury.

 

CMC kp/08