Hooper stands by decision to put India into bat

West Indies captain Carl Hooper stood by his decision to bowl first, even though India piled up 226 for three on a flat pitch on the first day of the fourth Test.

India were bundled out for 102 in the first innings in Barbados last week as West Indies won the third Test by 10 wickets to level the five-match series 1-1, but there was no such collapse on Friday as Rahul Dravid and Wasim Jaffer hit half-centuries.

"We have four fast bowlers in our side and the Indians haven't been batting well," Hooper said. "It was a logical choice on our part to put them in.

"When you make decisions, whether they are right or wrong, you've got to stand by them," he said.

The 35-year-old said he had hoped from more life from the wicket, although it is known for producing big scores. Left-hander Brian Lara notched up his Test world record 375 against England at the same venue in 1994.

"After the Barbados game, we would have hoped from more life from the wicket," Hooper said.

"But at the end of the day, it's still a good cricketing wicket. If you bend your back the ball will go through quickly. All credit to the Indians, they played well."

Left-arm paceman Pedro Collins was the only West Indian bowler to make an impact, dismissing opener Shiv Sundar Das for three and later removing Jaffer (86) and Sachin Tendulkar (0) off successive balls.

SELECTORS JUSTIFIED

"Collins bowled well today. He justified the selectors's decision of going with four pace bowlers," Hooper said.

"People had suggested that we could have gone with three pacemen and one spinner, but in the couple of overs of spin that we bowled, the ball didn't break off the wicket."

Hooper said he had not lost hope even though India accumulated runs comfortably and despite the partnership which developed between Dravid (86 not out) and captain Sourav Ganguly, who was on 41 at the close.

"We would be satisfied if we restrict India to anything less than 375," Hooper said.

"But cricket is a funny game. They are 220-odd for three, a couple of wickets in the first half an hour and you could be looking under 300."

India were 168 for one before the Collins double-strike forced Dravid and Ganguly to rebuild the innings.

Hooper said India's slow run-rate was an indication of how important the match was in the context of the series.

"The way the Indians batted today, they are well aware of the tense series and the importance of this Test match," Hooper said.

"They are taking their time to score. We are aware of the importance too, we are going to make them work for every run."

India won the second Test in Trinidad by 37 runs last month, their first victory in the Caribbean for more than 26 years.

The fifth Test will be played at Kingston, Jamaica from May 18-22.

Also read: India take first day's honours

Mail Cricket Editor