Indians look to humble the West Indies
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This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from June 1983.
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India made a mockery of their 40-1 outsider status with the bookmakers by beating the West Indies in their opening Cup match two weeks ago. No team had got the better of the masters of oneday cricket in the two previous World Cups in 1975 and 1979.
West Indies returned to their irresistible best after that upset, quelling all opposition in their six subsequent matches including an eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in Thursday's semifinal at the Oval here.
India produced their second surprise when they beat fancied Australia to finish second behind West Indies in their qualifying group. They capped it Thursday with a six. wicket semifinal win over hosts England at Old Trafford, Manchester.
But the West Indies remained heavy favourites to retain the trophy against an Indian side whose sole success in the first two World Cups was a victory over lowly East Africa in 1975.
Indian Captain Kapil Dev, who rescued his side against Zimbabwe last week with a Cup-record 175 not out, is unperturbed by the prospect of Saturday's clash at Lord's. "Obviously we want to go out there and play well. But even if we lost, if we play a good game we will enjoy it, the spectators will, and that is most important,"he said.
West Indies Captain Clive Lloyd, who led his country in their first two victorious campaigns, hopes to be fully recovered from a groin strain which virtually reduced him to a spectator in Thursday's semifinal.
"I'm having treatment for the injury and I'll give myself a test on Friday. But I'm determined to play in what will be my last World Cup Final - and I stick by my forecast at the start that we're going to win,"he said.
Lloyd injured himself while fielding, late in the Pakistan innings. "I felt it as I turned quickly after chasing the ball. I would have batted if it had been necessary, but I would have needed a runner," he said.
The West Indies captain praised India. "They're a good side and playing very well. They've beaten some good teams to get there and "good luck to them," he said. Pakistan were overwhelmed by the West Indian four-man pace attack, particularly Malcolm Marshall who broke their innings with a spell of three for three in 14 balls.
"Malcolm is bowling exceptionally quick at the moment probably as fast as Michael Holding at his best a few years ago," Lloyd said. But even if India can survive the onslaught of cricket's most fearsome pace attack, they must still find a way of curbing the brilliance of batsman Viv Richards.
Richards hammered an unbeaten 80 Thursday, including 11 fours and two sixes, to win the Man-of-the-Match award for the third game in a row. It was Richards who achieved West Indian revenge against India last week by hitting 119 in a 66-run victory.
Last Saturday he struck 95 not out to destroy Australia. India bowled tightly and fielded well to restrict England to a total of 213. Halfcenturies by Yashpal Sharma and Sandeep Patel and 46 from Mohinder Armanath made sure that India kept the initiative.
They face a more formidable task on Saturday, and although they have achieved two wins over the West Indians in limited overs games this year, it would take a brave man to bet against a World Cup hat-trick for Lloyd and his team from the Caribbean.
