Windies will win Test easily: Dillon

Fast bowler Mervyn Dillon, who grabbed three second-innings wickets on Monday, is confident West Indies will score the 313 runs they need to beat India in the second Test.

Dillon finished with figures of four for 42 as West Indies grabbed the last six wickets for just 13 runs to bowl India out for 218 after the tourists seemed to be coasting at 205 for four.

"We are very much in front in this match and I'm very confident we'll win quite easily," Dillon told reporters after the fourth day's play.

West Indies were 131 for two at the close, needing 182 more runs for victory. Brian Lara was unbeaten on 40.

"With Brian, Carl Hooper, Shivnarine Chanderpaul still not out, I think we will pull it off," said Dillon.

"Chris Gayle has to bat again too. I don't think I'll have to play a role with the bat at all," added Dillon, who went in at number eight in the first innings.

Left-hander Gayle retired hurt on 21 because of severe cramps in his left wrist but is expected to bat again on the final day on Tuesday.

India scored 339 in their first innings before bowling out West Indies for a modest 245.

The home side had lost five straight Tests before drawing the opening match of this series in Georgetown.

SPECIAL EFFORT

Dillon said it had taken a special effort from him to dismiss Vangipurappu Laxman (74), Javagal Srinath (2) and last man Asish Nehra (0) in the morning session with a fiery spell from the pavilion end.

"After close of play yesterday, we were a bit behind in the Test match. The bottom line is that I want to win and that played an important part in my coming out there firing."

India resumed at 165 for four and looked poised to set West Indies a huge target before Dillon broke a 149-run stand between Laxman and captain Saurav Ganguly to trigger the dramatic collapse. Left-hander Ganguly was left stranded on 75.

Laxman, who cracked his third half-century from as many innings on this tour, said India were not yet out of the equation on a wicket which is getting slower.

"The wicket is not easy to play on," he said. "The first session tomorrow will be crucial. The bowlers are doing a great job and if we keep the ball in the right place, I think it will be difficult to get runs out there."

Laxman, who dragged a wideish Dillon delivery on to his stumps to start the Indian slide, said he was disappointed he could not stay out in the middle to give Ganguly support at a time when the team needed it.

"I thought I got a bit unlucky because the ball took an inside edge and came into the stumps," he said.

"It was disappointing because Saurav was batting so well and we could have got a lead of over 400. But we still have a shot."

Mail Cricket Editor