SHARJAH: West Indies made a rousing start, in their quest for winning their fourth successive champions trophy, defeating India by five wickets with 2.1 overs to spare here at the Sharjah Stadium on Friday.

Chasing India’s modest total of 169 in 48.1 overs, the Calypso Charmers romped home after initial collapse when they lost three wickets, two to Manoj Prabhakar, for only 31.

The West Indies owed their victory to Skipper Vivian Richards, who was later declared man-of-the match. He made an all round contribution Friday by taking two wickets for 44 with his shrewd off spin bowling, was instrumental in two runouts, and when his team was tottering, took the fight into the opponent’s camp:

Richard’s slammed 18 runs from Prabhakar’s eighth over. He off drove him for a four, another over the bowler’s head, a lofty four at long-on and then jumped out to left the medium pacer over midwicket for a six.

This savage onslaught by Richards swung the game in favour of the West Indies. He hit a six and four boundries in his 34, off 34 deliveries, before being caught by Sidhu off Ayub.

Krishnamachari Srikkanth, leading the side for the first time, set an attacking field throughout and made intelligent bowling changes. It was entirely to his credit that India fought well despite a dismal total.

India after winning the toss made a sound opening start of 43 from Srikkanth and Navjot Sidhu. The openers demonstrated that there was not much venom in the West Indies speedsters, but specialist batsmen like Mohinder Amarnath (2), Dilip Vengsarkar (14), and Mohd Azharuddin (14) did not make the most of the easy-paced wicket.

India claimed three wickets in quick succession for 31 runs. First Srikkanth brought off a speciacular catch to dismiss Simmons (6) off Praphaker.

The catch was applauded by all those witnessing the match, Srik kanth standing at extra-cover chased a uppish drive from Simmons, dived full length to scoop the ball after somersaulting.

Then Richie Richardson was caught by Vengsarkar in slip off Prabhakar, while Haynes was caught at the wicket by Kiran more off Arshad Ayub’s first delivery of the day.

The collapse inspired Srikkanth and his men and the captain set an attacking field, but Richards shred it bare along with partner Keith Arthurton; who defied with fortitude. The pair raised the total to 80 when Richards went for a squarecut, mistimed it for Sidhu to take a simple catch.

Arthurton and diminutive Gus Logie continued the good work sedately as there was no need to take risk, the task before them was simple and they achieved it untroubled. Arthurton made 48 while Logie remained unbeaten with 58.

Prabhakar, making a comeback, bowled his medium pacers with a lot of verve and energy, he swung the ball well and utilised the bowl ing crease judiciously. He took two for 45 from the alloted 10 overs. ‘The bowler to impress the most was offspinner Ayub, who is showed he was maturing a great deal in the art and subtlety of off spin bowling. He took two wickets for 27 from 10 overs (PTI).

Article extracted from this publication >>  October 20, 1989