Logie defends under-fire bowlers

Logie defends under-fire bowlers

Stabroek News
April 23, 2003

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PORT OF SPAIN, (Reuters) - West Indies coach Gus Logie defended his under-fire attack after they again failed to bowl out Australia on the fourth day of the second Test yesterday.

Australia, who made 576 for four in their first innings, declared for the second time in the match at 238 for three, setting the home team 407 to win on the final day.

West Indies have bowled out the tourists just once in four attempts this series and there has been widespread criticism for the decision to pick only three frontline bowlers, all fast, on a slow pitch which most players say will take spin.

``As a coach, I believe in the players we have,'' Logie told reporters.

``This morning we got them down to less than three runs an over. I think the bowlers did a good job to stop them running away with the game.''

``They have worked very hard in the nets. Things have not worked out for them but it's not for want of trying.''

Australia opener Matthew Hayden, who made exactly 100 in the second innings, said his team were surprised by the West Indies decision not to field a specialist spinner.

Two Spinners
``I think they've got to have a spinner,'' he said. ``We are playing on pitches which are deteriorating a lot...if it was me, I would be certainly picking spinners.

"We've played two spinners, which goes against the grain of the fabric of Australian cricket where we play three pacers and a spinner or four pacers.''

He added: ``We've got a very aggressive batting line-up, six guys at the top of their form and it's hard to see them taking 20 wickets (in a Test).''

Australia called a halt to their second innings 25 minutes before the tea interval - a declaration which surprised their opponents.

``We thought they were looking for something around 500 (as a target),'' said Logie.

But Hayden said the West Indies still faced an enormous task after the home team reached 107 for three at the close.

``It's going to take an incredible effort from the West Indies to survive. We saw a lot of opportunities in the last half hour, the ball's turning, there's bounce, it's pretty nasty really.

``There's plenty of rough at the left-hander's off stump, it's going to be a huge advantage for us and a massive disadvantage for the lefties.''