It's pleasing to see youngsters' commitment: Haynes

For only the fifth time in Test history, the entire top-six scored 50 or more to power the West Indian batting effort, making it the first time since 2009 that the Caribbeans – who had amassed 463 in the second innings at the Eden Gardens – had topped 400 in two successive innings.The less adventurous but no less effective half of the feared Greenidge-Haynes opening combo took over as the batting consultant of the national team only in April, and therefore had every reason to feel ‘extremely pleased’ with what happened on the first two days of the third Test.

“When you looked at our team at the start of this match, with Shiv (Chanderpaul) unable to play, there was a situation where India had 140 hundreds compared to our seven hundreds in Test cricket,” Haynes said. “We had a very young batting unit and it pleased my heart to see our players, away from home after being 2-0 down in the series, display the level of commitment and determination to play so well and so freely and post a very good total.”

Darren Bravo was the most obvious star with a sparkling 166, but Adrian Barath, Kraigg Brathwaite, Kirk Edwards, Kieran Powell and Marlon Samuels all played their part. “You can see they want to do well and raise their game and make West Indies cricket proud,” Haynes pointed out. We have been doing some very good things in the nets and you are starting to see some results in the middle.“I’m impressed with the commitment and the shot-selection,” he added.

“I have always said that what was lacking in the past was confidence. People have been saying we can’t play spin and I have been hearing that from the time I came into West Indies cricket as a player.  It is a matter of confidence. I have come to realise that, now that they are feeling confident at this level of the game, we are seeing some good signs.”

Throughout the series, skipper Darren Sammy has spoken of the responsibility the team has towards the Caribbean people, and Haynes said pretty much the same. “The batting display here with everyone contributing and working hard is pleasing for me, but I know it is also pleasing for the millions of people out there who support West Indies cricket and want to see their team do well again.”