Sammy proud of his boys

ROSEAU, Dominica:

West Indies captain Darren Sammy said that despite the tough situation his players found themselves in yesterday, he was proud of the way they battled hard and stayed focused on the job against the Indian batsmen on the third day of the Third Digicel Test match at Windsor Park.

On a hot, energy-sapping day, the West Indies had to compete without the services of fast bowler Ravi Rampaul, who had to seek medical attention after he fell ill on Thursday.

"It was a tough day but we stayed focused and never let our heads drop. We were a bowler short from the start as we knew we would not have the services of Rampaul, who has been one of our best bowlers and chief wicket-takers this season," Sammy said.

"It gives me great heart to see the way the entire team fought out there - bowlers sending down 20-plus overs - and the way we kept believing. To get six wickets on a good batting pitch with a bowler down is quite commendable," Sammy said.

Sammy added that everyone "felt the heat" but will be ready to go again when play resumes today at 9.30 a.m. (8.30 a.m. Jamaica Time).

Kudos to the bowlers

"We have a very good physio in C.J. Clark so he knows what to do to get the bowlers ready. Tomorrow we will be fresh again and will be ready to go again. It was very hot but we never gave in. The belief in the bowling unit is quite high. We said once we put the ball in the right areas we could bowl them out. Kudos to the bowlers for sticking to the plans and putting in all those overs in such trying conditions," Sammy added.

Two of the six wickets to fall came as a result of some smart work from keeper Carlton Baugh. He held a brilliant leg-side catch standing up to Sammy, and was alert to stump VVS Laxman off Chanderpaul's bowling. On Thursday, Baugh top-scored with a stroke-filled 60.

"Since he came back into the team last year in Sri Lanka, Carlton has been doing a great job for us. He has 11 first-class hundreds, so everyone knows what he can do with the bat and he's really starting to show it," Sammy said.

"His keeping cannot be faulted and the more games he plays the better he is doing. Everyone can take a page from his book because he keeps showing us 'it can be done'."