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Don’t get carried away. Only the passage of time will tell if this is the start of the long-awaited turnaround in West Indies cricket or just a deceptively bright patch on an otherwise dark landscape.But the signs are encouraging.It is not just about being 2-1 up against India, the third-ranked team in one-day internationals, going into the final two matches today and Sunday at the Queen’s Park Oval. That statistic can be easily overturned in the next 72 hours, such is the unpredictable nature of the shorter version of the game, exacerbated by two teams highly susceptible to bouts of inconsistency.Yet it is significant that a squad previously incapable of coming out on the winning side of tight situations has prevailed in the last two matches against quality opponents. If nothing else, it emphasises how vital the mental aspect of the game is and puts into some perspective the value of the preceding series against Zimbabwe.The young, inexperienced southern Africans hardly presented a serious challenge to the home side. However, in being able to enjoy the winning feeling for more than just a day or two, players who had grown uncomfortably familiar with defeat were at least able to enjoy a succession of victories and dominance over the opposition.Even if it was a massive exaggeration to talk about the West Indies riding the crest of a wave heading into the first match, last week on Thursday at Sabina Park, the fact is, as everyone involved in competitive sport knows, a win is a win, whatever the quality of the opposition.Just two months ago on the tour of New Zealand, the Caribbean side could not turn hugely advantageous positions in two ODIs and the first Test into victories. As competitive as the Black Caps are, especially in their own conditions, there can be no doubt that the West Indies’ demise on those three occasions had more to do with their unfamiliarity with success than the excellence of the home team’s fightbacks.The storyline was just about the same in the opening match against the Indians, victory eluding their grasp at Sabina Park as opportunities literally slipped through their fingers, allowing Mohammad Kaif to hit the winning runs after Rahul Dravid’s hundred had taken his team most of the way home.Ironic, then, that it was the Indian captain’s fielding error in the final over in St Kitts on Tuesday that helped to ease the West Indies to their target.Slowly but surely, the West Indies are learning how to sustain the effort, to stay in the hunt and keep the pressure on worthy combatants in the belief, more than just the hope, that they will prevail.More than anything else so far, the chain of events in the pulsating final moments of Saturday’s second match in Kingston – when Chris Gayle urged Dwayne Bravo to bowl a slower ball after being struck for consecutive fours by Yuvraj Singh – revealed that the players are not just disinterested spectators to their own demise.Some of them at least are thinking about the game and developing alternative strategies. Sometimes they will work, on other occasions they won’t. But at least they seem to be doing much more on the field than just looking fashionable. It is very, very easy to read too much into this series so far. An inside-edge past leg stump by Yuvraj and India would have been 2-0 up after Jamaica. Two convincing performances by the visitors at the Oval and they would still win the series.Yet it is impossible not to feel at least the gentle cooling breeze of optimism after enduring the sweltering, oppressive heat of defeat for such a long time. In his seventh year as an international cricketer, Ramnaresh Sarwan has just played two of the finest ODI innings of his career, responding positively to the persistent urgings of his captain, his coach and the rest of team management for him to make a habit of carrying the West Indies innings through to the finish.The bowlers stuck manfully to the task in defending a modest total last Saturday, with the combination of Gayle and Marlon Samuels again proving effective on the lifeless Caribbean pitches.Shivnarine Chanderpaul played second fiddle to Sarwan on Tuesday, but his half-century was no less significant in taking the West Indies to victory while again restating the point that he is getting back to his reliable best with the burdens of captaincy off his shoulders.And what of the man who is back in charge? With just 54 runs from three innings in the series, it must be especially pleasing to Brian Lara for his team to be ahead at this stage.In keeping with the gambler’s instinct, his tactics can inspire and bewilder in almost equal measure. Yet his mere stature as one of the giants of the modern game obviously makes a difference to the home team and, it has to be said, the opposition.It still doesn’t solve the long-term captaincy issue, mind you. But that is another matter. If it seems excessive to be doing victory laps after success in two limited-over matches, keep in mind that this team is learning how to win.Their celebrations are therefore a combination of relief and exultation.The challenge now is to maintain such a high level of performance and competitiveness that the victory laps become redundant and that will take some time

Given the background of India’s awesome record at home – theyhave lost only one series in the last 15 years – it would betempting to shrug off the challenge posed by the West Indies teamwhich commences battle in a three-Test series from Wednesday. Butthe Indians would do well to guard against complacency. In thepast, an overconfident approach has proved costly and one hasonly to look back at the previous tour by the Caribbean sideeight years ago to understand how rash it would be to under-rateany team.The West Indies had virtually lost their No 1 ranking and theslide was apparent. By the early 90s, the vast majority of thestars of the all-conquering team of the 80s had retired. Tocompound matters, they were, for various reasons, without severalleading players including reigning captain Richie Richardson,fast bowlers Curtly Ambrose and Winston Benjamin and veteranopener Desmond Haynes.

The side, led by Courtney Walsh, had only one really big name inBrian Lara, who in the first half of 1994 had set the two famousworld-record scores of 375 and 501 not out. The captain, ofcourse, was one of the top fast bowlers in the world while CarlHooper, Phil Simmons and Keith Arthurton were cricketers withsome experience. But little was known about the other players inthe side and the chances of the tourists doing well were notrated highly. On the other hand much was made of the fact that athome India had registered nine successive victories in the period1988-1994. The stage thus seemed set for India to register acomfortable win in the three-Test series.Things seemed to move according to prediction when India won thefirst Test by 96 runs to make it ten in a row at home. But thewinning streak was halted in the next Test in which West Indiesearned a honourable draw. And in the final Test, West Indiesscored a surprise 243-run victory to level the series against allexpectations. An obdurate left-hander named Jimmy Adams amassed520 runs at a Bradmanesque average of 173.33.More recently too, the mood was fairly complacent on the eve ofthe Test series against a seemingly weak England side about ayear ago. Ultimately, India had to huff and puff their way tovictory in one Test while the two other games were drawn with thevisitors emerging with much credit.It can be debated whether the current West Indian team or the1978-79 side led by Alvin Kallicharran is the weakest to tourIndia. The batting looks capable of holding its own and evidenceof this was clearly seen in the tour opener at Bangalore. Therehas to be question marks over the bowling though and it isdoubtful whether it has the ammunition to bowl out the fearsomeIndian batting line-up twice.The absence of Lara is a major blow and the West Indian recordaway from home is admittedly abysmal. That said, it must also bestated that they put up a heart-warming show in winning theseries against India in the Caribbean earlier this year. It mustnot be forgotten that India were the favourites to take theseries but Hooper’s young and inexperienced side rose to theoccasion and with a commendable performance, recovered to win theseries.Granted it was achieved at home where West Indies have almostalways been unbeatable, but there was something positive abouttheir showing and while it is too early to speak in terms of aresurgence, they are not a side to be dismissed lightly. Indeed,it is difficult not to agree with Walsh’s prediction that onecould see a star or two being born during the tour. As theyshowed in Bangalore, the tourists mean business and are a prettyeager lot. And as the saying goes, enthusiasm is the mother ofsuccess.Of course, it will take a bit effort to emerge successful in boththe Tests and one-day internationals against an Indian side thatat the moment is bristling with confidence. They are on a highafter a string of notable performances, they are playing at homewhere they enjoy an enviable record and the team for the firsttwo Tests has an unbeatable look about it. But that’s just thekind of scenario in which sometimes the favourites can lowertheir guard and pay the price.Under Sourav Ganguly, the Indians have developed a ruthlessstreak and they should maintain this approach. On paper, there isno reason why the Indians should not end up comfortable winners.Man to man, they appear much stronger. But then the Indianslooked pretty formidable on the two occasions I have talked aboutand the result is well known. On the face of things, this wouldseem to be a gilt-edged opportunity for the hosts to make a cleansweep of the Test series, along the lines of the victoriesachieved against England in 1993 and Sri Lanka the followingseason, provided complacency does not enter the Indians’ mindset.

The selection of the Indian team for the first two Tests has beenmade on expected lines, though, I am not really comfortable aboutJavagal Srinath’s decision to come out of retirement and hissubsequent recall. The selection of Amit Mishra is a step in theright direction, notwithstanding his figures of no wicket for 114at Bangalore. A young leg-spinner is a must what with Anil Kumblein rather indifferent form. But then Kumble’s record at home iswell known and against West Indies, it is likely that he andHarbhajan would be the strike force rather than Srinath andZaheer Khan.

Tony Cozier, the veteran broadcaster, has launched a stinging broadside at West Indies in the aftermath of their back-to-back defeats in the first two Tests. Cozier blamed a lack of planning, commitment, enthusiasm, and leadership.In South Africa and Zimbabwe, the side was beset by a series of injuries which left the squad severely weakened. Cozier, writing in The Independent, claimed that several players “turned up for the preparatory training camp as much as two stones overweight. It was not long before such a lack of fitness had its effects. Three players broke down even before the team arrived in South Africa and had to return home. At no time in the six Tests could West Indies field their strongest team, with key players eliminated by injury.”The pre-match preparations in southern Africa also left much to be desired – he refers to “lacklustre, intermittent practice sessions” and adds that in the Tests 124 no-balls and 28 wides were bowled and more than a dozen catches spilled.And so to the current series. “The West Indies squad assembled in Jamaica five days prior to the first Test,” Cozier wrote. “In that time, they had only one practice session. Much of the time was spent in psychological sessions, ironically some watching motivational videos of the American basketball legend Michael Jordan stressing the importance of practice, which is precisely what they were not doing.”The first Test ended with four players joining in the well-reported party in the stands. The day after the debacle of being bowled out for 47, West Indies held a net session – but it was voluntary and several players decided they didn’t need the practice anyway.When the sides moved on to Trinidad, England made full use of the excellent indoor facilities at Port-of-Spain while, as Cozier noted, “West Indies were not seen once in the indoor nets and were seldom in the gym”.In sport, you reap what you sow. It doesn’t bode well for Barbados and Antigua where the mass of traveling support will mean that Bridgetown and St John’s will be homes from home for England.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has released the itinerary for the England Senior team’s tour to the West Indies in 2004. The team will contest a four-match Test Series, followed by a seven-match One-Day International Series.The international matches, as detailed below, are confirmed. A full itinerary, including other tour matches, will be released when available.In the 2003-4 winter, England will also tour Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. In October / November 2003, England will play two Test Matches and three One-Day Internationals in Bangladesh, before traveling to Sri Lanka to play three One-Day Internationals and finally three Test Matches before Christmas. Full details to be announced in due course.England’s 2004 tour to the West Indies

March11-15           First Test Match, Jamaica19-23           Second Test Match, TrinidadApril1-5             Third Test Match, Barbados9-13            Fourth Test, Antigua18              First One-Day International (ODI), Guyana (19 – reserve day)24              Second ODI, Trinidad25              Third ODI, Trinidad28              Fourth ODI, GrenadaMay1               Fifth ODI, St. Lucia2               Sixth ODI, St. Lucia5               Seventh ODI, Barbados

There has never been a better time to watch county cricket. With the CricInfo Championship now in full swing and the sunshine making a belated entrance down the order, how better to enjoy the summer than visiting a county ground for a day of quality cricket?CricInfo have looked into the prices around the country for a day of CricInfo Championship action. The results prove there to be excellent cricket all around the country at very good value for money.The AMP Oval, and the reigning Champions, Surrey, offers a particularly attractive day out. £7 for an adult and £3 for concessions to see Alec Stewart, Saqlain Mushtaq, Graham Thorpe, Mark Ramprakash, and the Hollioakes et al. represents fantastic value.Lancashire are another top club charging just £8 for adults to see their Test stars in action. With Andrew Flintoff, John Crawley, Mike Atherton and Muralitharan all on show this season and compares favourably to £35 for 90 minutes of football at an equivalent level. Warwickshire go one better, with a gate price of £6 and £3 for concessions.But best of all are Durham. They charge just £5 to watch the likes of Steve Harmison (perhaps the quickest bowler in the CricInfo Championship) and Paul Collingwood – one of the most exciting prospects in the country.£9 is the average price for clubs (Gloucestershire, Essex, Derbyshire, Middlesex and Worcestershire), with all offering a variety of concessions to juniors, OAPs and even dogs (Derby £2). Some clubs, such as Derby, even offer free entry to accompanied children, while a typical concession represents 50% of the full gate price.£10 is the upper limit of what you can expect to pay (Yorkshire, Somerset, Leicestershire, Hampshire, Notts and Northants – though all offer concessions) and if you can’t spare the time off work, or just fancy pooping into the ground on your way home, many clubs operate a policy whereby spectators will be allowed in for free for the final hour, or even session, of play.Full List

• Essex: £9 concessions: £5
• Derbyshire: £9 concessions: £7, free
• Durham: £5
• Glamorgan: £8 concessions: £4
• Gloucestershire: £9 concessions: £7
• Hampshire: £10 concessions: £7, £4
• Kent: £8 concessions: £4
• Lancashire: £8 concessions: £4, £2
• Leicestershire: £10 concessions: £5
• Middlesex: £9 concessions: £5
• Northants: £10 concessions: £6
• Notts: £10 concessions: £7, £5
• Somerset: £10, concessions: £10, £7, £5
• Surrey: £7 concessions: £3
• Sussex: £8 concessions: £5
• Warwickshire: £6 concessions: £3
• Worcestershire: £9 concessions: £5
• Yorkshire: £10 concessions: £5

nb: Figures are correct on date of publication but are subject to change.

In a twist of events, the Barbados cricket selectors have decided to wait until their West Indies counterparts announce the 15-member World Cup squad before selecting their own squad of 16 players for next year’s regional first-class championship.Calvin Hope, a senior member of the Barbados selection panel, made the announcement at a Press conference at Kensington Oval yesterday afternoon, which ironically had been convened to announce the Barbados team and also present prizes for the recently concluded Arawak Cement Cup.Hope, the lone selector present, as chairman Richard "Prof" Edwards and Clinton St Hill were absent, confirmed wicket-keeper Courtney Browne as Barbados captain with Ryan Hinds as his deputy."Unfortunately, we cannot announce the Barbados squad today because we received an e-mail from the West Indies Cricket Board informing us that the West Indies selectors are meeting between the 27th and 28th of December to select the West Indies team for the World Cup," Hope told reporters."As you can appreciate, that could have some implications and impact on the availability of players to represent Barbados for the regional tournament early next year, as those players who will be participating in the World Cup would not be available, at least in the early matches for the regional tournament," Hope said."We believe that the selection process of the West Indies team, depending on who from Barbados may be in that squad, could impact in various ways (like) the balance of the team."One might say we could choose 16 people and then have reserves but you are probably going to trap yourself there into a particular situation, so it is better to start when you know all the facts," he added."The Barbados selectors have decided that we will wait until the announcement of the West Indies squad to the World Cup, then we will select the Barbados team and make the announcement."So we apologise for not being able to stick to our original plan of announcing today but that was something beyond our control. We expected the West Indies team to be announced by now," Hope declared.He said Tony Howard had been re-appointed as manager, with Hendy Springer again the coach.

Kapil Dev, the head of the Indian Cricket League, has told the BBC that he would like to incorporate a UK-based team into his event.”I would love to have a London team playing in the ICL or Birmingham or another city team,” he said. “If I get a chance, if I have the money, I will definitely make one team from London or Birmingham. Give me the money and sponsor and I will do it.”I would also love to see a team from South Africa, West Indies and Australia.”Dev also made clear that the ICCL was not looking to interfere with England’s domestic programme. “We always say anybody picked for ICL must first represent their country and come to play for us when they are free. We don’t want to spoil any country’s cricket.”The aim of ICL is to give exposure to the young boys and people who have played enough cricket. If they share their time with the young upcoming guys, they can teach these young cricketers. That’s what our aim is and if we give the spectators thrilling cricket, everyone benefits from that.”Asked about the ECB’s decision to look to ban any players who signed with the ICL, a policy which is now in tatters, Dev said: “I just want to ask the ECB one simple thing. Am I doing something wrong by trying to promote cricket around the world? The ECB should send us a letter saying thank you. Let’s not be hypocritical.”

Alastair Cook has a very serious mission today as he takes on WestIndies at Lord’s (not single-handedly, of course, although you neverknow – ah, the confidence of youth). But a week ago he was plunged into mirth at Chelmsford as he posed with two beauties, Emma andNatalie, as part of a sports calendar for the CHASE Ben HollioakeFund.His England team-mates may snigger, but Mrs Flintoff may not be soamused – Freddie’s lined up to appear in a shoot later in theyear.Competition now closed. Click here to see the winners and their winning entries<!–But before all that merriment, it's time to indulge in some of yourown. It's the return of the much-missed caption competition and, asyou can see, have we got a humdinger for you. To have a chance to win,email [email protected] us your suggestions as to what’s being said…or thought. Please include your name and address along with your (preferably very witty) answer.There’s a cracking pair of prizes up for grabs, too. Slightly lessfrivolously, it’s time to celebrate 50 years of Test Match Special,and when better to recognise this than at the Lord’s Test? There is alovely book, , which we’ll be reviewing soon and also aTMS print by the artist John Ireland (click here to see it). Five winners will win a lovely pair. –>