The West Indies coach, Ottis Gibson, has described the ongoing stand between Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Marlon Samuels as "a crucial partnership" during the rain-affected Test in Barbados. Only 25.3 overs were bowled on the second day, but that was enough for the hosts to lost two wickets, and they finished up trailing by 103 runs.
Chanderpaul was unbeaten on 20 and Samuels had 21, and the pair had built an encouraging 41-run partnership when play was abandoned. There should still be plenty of time for a result, after India failed to bat out the opening day and reached 20. Gibson said that with West Indies at 98 for 5, there was a lot of work ahead for Samuels and Chanderpaul.
"We are looking forward to the third day," Gibson said. "The second day was badly rain-interrupted and that is history. The pair at the crease has done a good job for us so far and there is plenty ahead of them. We know what Chanderpaul can do and he has showed a lot of application in his innings so far.
"Marlon is now coming back into the team and he has looked good so far. He is really looking forward to this opportunity in this Test and hopefully he will continue to show the fighting skills he has demonstrated. He came in at a crucial time and has played well so far. We expect him to continue. This is a crucial partnership as there is still a lot of cricket left in the match."
Although West Indies need more from their batsmen, their bowled did well on the first day to keep India's total down after Darren Sammy sent the visitors in. Ravi Rampaul, Devendra Bishoo and Fidel Edwards each picked up three wickets, and Gibson said it was pleasing to see the attack working so well.
"The bowlers again did their job very well and they deserve the praise. It is good to see them putting in the hard work and getting the rewards."