Sleepless night for skipper

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

West Indies skipper Darren Sammy has had a mixed game so far, in the opening Test against India, being played at Sabina Park. After going wicketless in the first innings and contributing only one with the bat, he bagged four wickets in India's second innings to give his team a chance for victory. However, an incident early in India's innings is still weighing heavily on the mind of the West Indies skipper.

He dropped a simple catch at second slip off Rahul Dravid late on the second day's play when he was just six. Dravid went on to make 112 in India's second-innings total of 252, with no other India batsman passing 30.

Speaking at the press conference at the end of play on yesterday's third day, Sammy confessed that he was unable to sleep after the Dravid missed opportunity.

"I didn't sleep well last night at all knowing I dropped the ball," Sammy disclosed. "But I must commend the bowlers, the way we stuck at it to bowl out India twice for under 300. They (the bowlers) worked hard, so now it is up to the batsmen to go out there and put up a fight and hopefully we can come out victorious," he added.

"Obviously, enough runs have not come from my bat, but it is not too late," Sammy said. "This innings could be the time that the captain makes some runs for the team. I am still positive, I will keep working and hopefully the tables will turn," he added.

huge partnership

Darren Bravo (30) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (24) are the not out batsmen at the crease as the West Indies closed yesterday on 131 for three. Sammy is hoping that the two batsmen will build a huge partnership and guide the team to victory.

"Shiv (Chanderpaul) has been an excellent player for us throughout his Test career. He has been in situations like this many, many times before and he has handled it well," Sammy said.

He added: "That's why he has a Test average of just under 50, so he knows what is required. Obviously, to get this total, we have to put together good partnerships and he (Chanderpaul) will guide young Bravo out there. So far they have put on 51, we would like a big partnership from them, at least 150."

Critics have said that Sammy should not be captain of the West Indies team or even be a part of team but the 27-year-old remains undaunted.

"Once I step over the boundary rope, I block out everything around me; I focus on my captaincy and I try to put in a performance as well," Sammy said. "Those who encourage and those who criticise, I just use it as a motivation," he added.