Jaffer drew on his Caribbean experience by CricketArchive staff reporter

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Player:	W Jaffer
Event:	India in West Indies 2006

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DateLine: 6th June 2006

 

Wasim Jaffer acknowledged that his second Test hundred for India was vital to their survival in the opening Test against West Indies at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

 

Jaffer with a Test best, unbeaten 113 on the third day lead India to 215 for two in their second innings. A lead of 85 has bought India right back into the match. "We are eyeing a lead of 300 which should make it very difficult for West Indies to get on the fifth day, so it was important for us to bat well to stay in the game," Jaffer told reporters on Sunday.

 

"It is always very special to get a Test hundred in the West Indies. On our last trip to the Caribbean, I reached 86 in one of the Test, so it felt great to finally get a hundred in the West Indies, especially with the team in a spot of bother” said the Mumbai opener.

 

Jaffer disclosed he had to draw on his experience from the previous trip to the Caribbean to get him through the innings. "Because we did not have much practice before the Test, I had to draw on my experience from the previous tour to get myself ready for this match," he said. "We saw a few balls turn in the first innings and Sehwag got a few wickets, so we expect Kumble to make a difference on the fifth day," he said.

 

West Indies coach Bennett King admitted that the pitch has changed its complexion, but insists his side can still win the game. "The pitch changed from the first day and has become more of the typical ARG pitch, but we'll see what happens on Monday," he said. "Generally, the fourth day of a Test match gives you a sense of how it's going to unfold, and it is a really important day for both sides. We are improving and I thought in the first innings of this Test, we put ourselves in a position to win. India have fought back, and that's the nature of Test cricket. India are not at No 3 in the world for nothing" noted the Windies coach.

 

King praised Jaffer for his batting, while bemoaning the loss of Fidel Edwards, the spearhead of the West Indies attack, to a hamstring strain. "Jaffer played soundly, without taking many risks” he said.