St Lucia: West Indian captain Brian Lara was leading from the front as his team bobbed up and down in its effort to save the second cricket Test against India on Wednesday.
West Indies, needing to bat out 98 overs on the final day, were 138 for 3 at lunch having survived a torrid first half hour in which they lost the overnight batsman Daren Ganga (26) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (1).
Lara, despite a couple of swishes and close edges, looked in command in his unbeaten 66 by break, this being his first half century in 30 months.
The last time Lara crossed a half century in the second innings of a Test was way back in January 2004 when he made 86 against South Africa in Johannesburg.
His experienced colleague Shivnarine Chanderpaul was offering excellent company on 35 and the two have so far put on 84 runs for the fourth wicket.
After losing the entire fourth day's play due to thundershowers, India were buoyed by the sight of clear skies and a dried up ground. Their spirit were further lifted when two wickets were claimed for the addition of only one run.
Ganga was the first one to leave the middle when he shouldered arm to a Anil Kumble delivery and was horrified to see the ball spin back and peg back his off-stump.
Sarwan, following his first-ball duck in the first innings, didn't survive long as an excellent delivery from Munaf Patel took the edge of his bat on way to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Patel, sensing that Sarwan expected another one to jag back on him like in the first innings, bowled a straighter delivery and the batsman playing for the inswinger, could do no more than edge a catch.
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