Sarwan rallies Windies with unbeaten 184

Ramnaresh Sarwan cracked a magnificent, unbeaten 184 to pilot West Indies to 398-5 against England at stumps on the third day Saturday of the fourth cricket test at Kensington Oval.

Sarwan’s 14th test century and third of the series sent the home team within three runs of saving the follow-on as it replied strongly to England’s formidable first-innings total of 600-6 declared.

Sarwan lashed 19 fours and two sixes off 280 balls in nearly eight hours on a day in which the trial TV referral system again came under the microscope for negative reasons.

Sarwan received solid support from Shivnarine Chanderpaul (70), Devon Smith (55) and Brendan Nash (33) before all three were given out lbw after referrals.

Chanderpaul and Nash were both controversially ruled out after third umpire Daryl Harper of Australia reviewed both decisions, despite TV evidence to the contrary.

West Indies coach John Dyson was diplomatic in reacting to the decisions that went against his team.

“One of the great things about cricket is that it teaches you to accept all decisions and just get on with the game,” former Australia opener Dyson said.

Match referee Alan Hurst of Australia admitted the system was stretched to the limit on Saturday.

“It’s been a very difficult day for referrals, there’s no doubt about that,” Hurst admitted. “We’ve had a number and a number of them have been very close. There have been very difficult ones for the umpire.”

Dyson and West Indies manager Omar Khan went into the officials room during play, but Dyson denied he was an angry man.

“I had a chat with Alan Hurst. The system is an experimental system and we just wanted to clarify a couple of things,” Dyson said.

The controversy over the system overshadowed a brilliant innings from Sarwan, who resumed on 40 not out at 85-1.

The 28-year-old quickly raced to his 50 and displayed exquisite strokeplay, especially through the off side where drives and cuts counted for all 19 of his fours and one six.

Opener Devon Smith completed his first half century in three and a half years and added 108 with Sarwan. But he fell soon after reaching 50 as he was trapped in front by Graeme Swann. The little left-hander tried to escape by seeking a TV review but was unsuccessful. Smith hit eight fours off 113 balls.

Ryan Hinds was another lbw victim of Swann for 15 as West Indies took lunch uncertainly at 163-3. But Sarwan and Chanderpaul batted through the second session with little difficulty, both players passing landmarks along the way.

Sarwan, already with scores of 107, 94 and 106 in the series, passed his third century with a scampered single off Swann midway through the session.

Chanderpaul brought up his second successive 50, off 80 balls, and the home team sipped tea more comfortably at 265-3.

But England hit back in the final session with the help of some questionable umpiring decisions. Chanderpaul progressed to 70 off 134 balls, with 11 fours, when he played no stroke to James Anderson with the second new ball.

Russell Tiffin gave Chanderpaul out but the batsman referred and should have been reprieved after evidence suggested the ball would have gone over the top of the stumps. But, after consulting with Harper, Tiffin surprisingly upheld his decision.

Sarwan never lost composure and added a further 53 with an aggressive Brendan Nash before another controversial moment ended Nash’s innings.

Nash struck five fours and a six in 33 off 43 balls before he was ruled out after another TV review. Umpire Aleem Dar originally ruled him not out but, after advice from Harper in the TV box, changed his decision despite the ball again appearing to be too high.

Sarwan continued to bat fluently and passed 150 for only the second time in tests with a glorious off drive off Swann.

The Guyanese, who was chanceless throughout his innings, was in sight of his second double century at the close.

Wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin was busy in compiling 25 not out in an important unbroken stand of 64 with his stylish partner.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, AP