Sometimes pitches are deceptive. Sometimes they look dead flat, but turn out to be bowler friendly. Other times they look sporting, but turn out to be lifeless. The latter was the case in the match that started last night at St. Lucia.
The pitch was lush with live grass, in patches, and it was also uneven. Furthermore, there was also moisture in the wicket. Conditions were overcast, yet there was no sideways movement off the seam or any carry with the bounce.
A slow, dead wicket is perfect for the batting style of Virender Sehwag. In the morning session, he batted like dynamite to be 99 not out at lunch, having done 75% of the scoring in that session. His decision to target Dwayne Bravo, who has troubled India all series, showed that he has a good brain for the game. Bravo ended up bowling only 10 overs in the day as Sehwag punished him with 2 sixes and 2 fours in one over. Sehwag finished with 180 off just 190 balls, which has put India in a healthy position.
Rahul Dravid, meanwhile, blazed alway (relatively) at a strike rate of 60. At stumps, he is undefeated on 95 and eyeing his 23rd Test century, and 3rd as captain. This is an improvement on his career strike rate of 43, and further proof that there really is no help in the pitch for the bowlers.
After India finished the day at 361 for 4, Virender Sehwag spoke to the media and stated that India is aiming for 600+ in their first innings and wants to bat only once in the match. With Dravid and Mohammad Kaif at the crease, and masterblaster bully Mahendra Singh Dhoni still to come, India has a great chance of getting up to at least 550.
What just eluded India at Antigua looks likely to come at St. Lucia. A thumping victory and a 1-0 lead going into the third Test.
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