Windies magic 790 helps them to innings and 174 runs win over
Pakistan
by A.C. de Silva
CRICKET: Sir Garfield Sobers, he turned out to be a champion batsman
for the West Indies and he came right into top form in the Test series
against the Pakistanis when the Pakistanis toured the West Indies. It
was the Third Test at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica which opened the
story of Garfield Sobers celebrated score of 365 not out - an innings
which broke a world record of 20 years standing, which has now doubled
the number of years and even more.
Before this game, Sobers had played 16 Test matches without once
clearing the century. It is said that one of his admirers had predicted
that the first Test hundred from his blade would be a triple-top affair,
and so it came about.
Pakistan won the toss and after a good start the Pakistanis collapsed
and after being 220 for 2 wickets, the Pakistanis were all out for 328
just after lunch on the on the second day.
Then it was the turn of the West Indies to bat and Kanhai and Conrad
Hunte opened the batting and this was only Hunte's third Test match.
However, the two batsmen rattled up 87 runs in even time before Kanhai
was out for 25. Unto was in superb form and dominated the scene with
strokes all round the wicket, specialising in the on-drive. But with
Sobers arriving on the scene, it was hoped that the West Indies will
forge ahead.
Sobers was 20 not out while Hunte was 100 not out when play ended for
the second day.
Pakistan skipper Abdul Hafeez Kardar decided to gamble, but it did
not pay any dividends as the Pakistanis were concerned and the West
Indies forged ahead.
Sobers who was 20 not out overnight, went up to 228 not out, while
Hunte went from 100 not out to 242. Sobers thus scored 208 to Hunte's
142 - some measure of just how completely he dominated not only the
Pakistani bowlers but also his colleague.
Sobers played careful cricket at the start of the third day but then
warmed up and he raced from 100 to 150 in a matter of only 58 minutes.
The Pakistani attack was routed amidst a cross-fire of glorious strokes
from both ends. There were runs galore from both ends.
Early on the fourth day Conrad Hunte left the scene for a well made
260 (his second three-figure innings in three Tests) with the score at
533. The second wicket stand of 446 between the future West Indies
captain and vice-captain fell just six short of the all-time highest
Test partnership-Bradman and Pensferd had put on 452 at the Oval in
1934.
Everten Weekes joined his young hero-worshipper after Hunte parted
company, and the two put on 69 quick runs before the "Barbados Butcher"
was dismissed for a hard-hit 39. In came Clyde Walcott to step in and
take the youngster in hand.
Walcott 88 not out and Sobers piled on the runs and after the
intervening rest day gave Sobers much needed rest and Sobers was able to
pile it on the next day. Sobers went from strength to strength and made
365 not out, breaking many records on the way and he batted for 614
minutes for his unbeaten 365, getting his runs with one five, 38 fours,
6 sixes, 30 twos and 130 singles.
The West Indies closed their innings at the massive score of 790 for
3 wickets.
Pakistan: 328 and 288
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