West Indies cricket finally re-emerged from the shadows of gloom and self-doubt in the post-Viv Richards era when the latest team led by the Jamaican Chris Gayle held on to a nail-biting draw in the second Test in Antigua, despite the pre-match controversy which even led to the shifting of the ground, from the new to the old.

Even Richards, who had been very critical of his country’s cricket administration, would have been proud of Gayle’s boys. That two browns (of Indian extraction), Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarne Chanderpaul, provided the backbone to the resistance on the final day, indicated the new spirit within the West Indies ranks, long rent by differences in colour.

In their time, the West Indies under Brian Lara had chased a target in excess of 400 in the final innings against Australia and won, though by then it was a dead rubber. This time it was different. Sometimes saving a game, which seems lost, is harder than winning one. In the case of the latter there is a certain momentum which keeps the chase going. But when the chips are down it needs rallying partnerships to maintain the necessary defiance.

It was wonderful to hear Sarwan and black fast bowler Fidel Edwards praise the team effort that ensured a draw and enabled the home team maintain its lead in the series. Edwards went on record to say, ‘Every member of the team decided that we would do our best to support the efforts of Sarwan and Chanderpaul, who showed us the way. It was the sort of team effort and spirit which the great Sir Frank Worrell tried to instil into Caribbean cricket in the Sixties.”

To hear each player back his captain and fight for the country implies that West Indies cricket is regaining its pride and self-confidence and there can be no better news for the game. Gayle is growing in the estimation of one and all as a tactician and leader. Who said this spirit is the exclusive prerogative of Dhoni and his men?