Lara leads applause for team of ‘character’

‘‘It takes a lot of character and understanding to achieve what India have’’, West Indies captain Brian Lara said on Tuesday after the third Test with South Africa ended in a draw. The West Indies had made similarly upbeat comments after India’s win in the Adelaide Test.

Barry Richards, a long admirer of players such as Laxman, Tendulkar and Kumble, pointed out that New Zealand had drawn a three-Test series in 2001-02 and, but for umpiring errors, would have won at Perth.

‘‘A win for the Kiwis would have shocked a lot of people who believed in Australian invincibility’’, Richards said. ‘‘But India’s success, coming as it does after an indifferent Test series against New Zealand at home and erratic limited overs form is rather special.’’ ‘‘What we are seeing is exciting as I see it as the birth of a new order’’, said former England bowler Robin Jackman, better-known as a TV commentator these days.

Richards and Jackman also pointed out the role of former New Zealand Test opening batsman John Wright as a guiding hand and how his association with Ganguly’s leadership as well as the selection policy cannot be overlooked. Yet it was Lara who pointed out how his friend Tendulkar had placed his own batting hallmark on a match which India need to win or draw to retain the Border/Gavaskar Trophy. ‘‘No team can these days go to Australia and feel that they are going to walk away with the honours. The game is not that simple over there. It is as tough and competitive off the field as it is on it,’’ he reflected.