Memories of Sabina 1976

May 22, 2002

Twenty-six years ago, India and West Indies went into the fourth and final Test at Kingston, Jamaica with the series tied 1-1.

But what should have been an exciting series climax flopped, thanks to some fierce West Indian bowling and some questionable calls from Indian skipper Bishen Singh Bedi.

Three Indian batsmen were injured while facing the fiery West Indian pace attack, two more, they claimed, in the field, and the tourists crashed to a ten-wicket defeat.

Gundappa Viswanath, currently the match referee for the first Test between Sri Lanka and England at the Lord's, was one of the five.

"I still remember that Test when I and four other Indian batsmen could not bat in the second innings," says Viswanath. "The West Indian bowlers were fully exploiting the conditions to their favour. It was really good fast bowling."

India scored 306 runs in the first innings, but their batsmen paid the price.

"The wicket had been re-laid with little cricket played on it, so it was almost a new pitch," Viswanath recalls.

"It was bouncy. The ball was getting a varied bounce and sometimes deliveries were very quick and short."

Anshuman Gaekwad was the first Indian batsman to retire, hospitalised after ducking into what he expected to be a bouncer from Michael Holding, having made 81.

Viswanath says his only worry as he went out to replace the opener was whether he would be able to make runs, rather than his own safety.

But, batting at No.4, he had only eight runs in his account when he gloved a Michael Holding delivery to leg slip, and broke his hand in the process.

"That particular delivery was a very good one, very quick and short-pitched," he says.

"It struck my hand and Holding also got me out. It was disappointing. My hand was broken and I was unable to play for the next six weeks, let alone in the rest of the match."

© Barbados Nation

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