India skitted in quick time

INDIA'S hope, indeed expectation, of recording their first Test Victory in the Caribbean since 1976 was scuppered by, magnificent West Indies fast bowling on an admittedly grassy, uneven Kensington pitch. Needing only 120 to win this Test, they were skitted in 35.5 overs for 81.

The Indian procession began in the third over of the day. Franklyn Rose produced a brute that climbed off a length, wrapped Sidhu's gloves and lobbed to third slip. It was an early portent of the astonishing events to come.

So tight was the West Indies's bowling that when eight overs later the second wicket fell only 13 runs had been added and not without some good fortune, Laxman having edged over the slips for four. Rose found another clinker that lifted and left Dravid to brush the edge on the way through to the wicket keeper.

Sachin Tendulkar's arrival led, to a more aggressive approach from the Indians. Encouraged by his captain to be more positive, Laxman flicked Curtly Ambrose off his hip for four and in the same over top edged an ambitious hook over the wicketkeeper.

Laxman's charmed life was soon brought to an end by another magnificent delivery from the excellent Rose. It straightened a full length to hit off stump with Laxman groping at thin air.

Mayhem broke out in the next over when the key wicket of Tendulkar was taken. Drawn forward by Bishop, he edged an outswinger low to first slip, where Lara held on to a notable low diving catch.

Rose's outstanding nine over spell had cost 19 runs and brought him three wickets. Ambrose, who had bowled the first four overs from the other end, now replaced him and immediately bowled Ganguly with an absolute jaffa. The left hander had no chance of keeping out a ball that cut back and hit off stump.

Nor did Mohammed Azharuddin have an earthly when Ambrose, in his next over, pinned back his off stump with a shooter. It must have been a case of deja vu for Azharuddin as identical delivery from Ambrose had dismissed him in Port of Spain.

A crowd that had by now grown to nearly 4,000 was already beginning victory celebration. The celebrated Triny Posse spilled irresistibly on to the pitch and sections elsewhere in the ground intensified their musical accompaniment.

India still had an outside chance with Mongia and Kumble together, but Bishop dismissed both either side of lunch and capped a memorable match for him personally by taking the last "wicket when he comprehensively bowled Prasad. Riotous celebration followed.

After the match a delighted Brian Lara said his side had drawn inspiration from their victory at Kensington against South Africa when they won against the odds.

"I knew it would be hard but my bowlers bowled a very tight line and the blokes were always positive about being able to bowl India out on this pitch." Uneven and offering sideways movement, it was made to order for the West Indies.