(Roseau, DMA) - West Indies captain Darren Sammy hailed his side's fighting qualities, after an illness sidelined Ravi Rampaul in the third Test against India.
Sammy, fellow fast bowler Fidel Edwards, and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo were the only specialist bowlers the hosts had available to them on Friday's third day at Windsor Park, after Rampaul spent almost the entire day off the field.
The situation was so grave that West Indies were forced to call upon Kirk Edwards to bowl for the first time in a first-class match, and veteran Shivanrine Chanderpaul to peddle his uncomplicated leg-spin for the first time in four years in Tests.
As a result, India gave their strongest batting performance of the series, reaching 308 for six, replying to West Indies' first innings total of 204, at stumps.
"It was a tough day, but we stayed focussed, and never let our heads drop," he said.
"We were a bowler short from the start as we knew we would not have the services of Rampaul, who has been one of our best bowlers and chief wicket-takers this season."
Sammy was the pick of the bowlers, collecting 2-48 from 26 overs, including the prized scalp of Rahul Dravid, Fidel Edwards supported with 2-80 from 23 overs, while Bishoo and Chanderpaul also pouched wickets.
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni found a vein of form, leading four batsmen with half centuries that put his side in a formidable position.
Dhoni, a struggler for most of the series, was unbeaten on 65, left-handed opener Abhinav Mukund supported with 62, batting stylist V.V.S. Laxman scored 56, and Suresh Raina made 50.
"It gives me great heart to see the way the entire team fought out there - bowlers sending down 20-plus overs - and the way we kept believing," said Sammy.
"To get six wickets on a good batting pitch with a bowler down is quite commendable."
Sadly Rampaul will not be available for the West Indies for another day despite making a late appearance on the third day.
Match officials said he can't bowl until Sunday because he has to spend the amount of time he lost back on the field in order to bowl.
Sammy seemed to beseech Dhoni and the umpires unsuccessfully to ignore the laws of the game and permit him to bowl to give himself and the other bowlers a break.
The West Indies captain also showed his emotion at the end of the day, clapping his hands, looking to the skies, and saying a silent prayer in relief that his side had endured one of their toughest days for the series - and most were still standing.
He said they will be ready to go again on the penultimate day.
"We have a very good physio in C.J. Clark, so he knows what to do to get the bowlers ready," said Sammy.
"We will be fresh again and will be ready to go again. It was very hot, but we never gave in. The belief in the bowling unit is quite high.
"We said once we put the ball in the right areas we could bowl them out. Kudos to the bowlers for sticking to the plans and putting in all those overs in such trying conditions."
Ironically, the previous two days were affected by bad weather, but not a drop of rain fell to offer West Indies a reprieve on a day Sammy and his side could use it most.
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