Jacobs proves worth

He may not be the most naturally gifted of cricketers, but Ridley Jacobs again emphasised his importance to the West Indian team on the opening day of the first Test against Australia.

In a time when many had begun to question his place in the side thanks to a recent display of uninspiring performances, the 35-year-old combined for a timely 131 run partnership with centurion Shiv Chanderpaul to bring the West Indies back from the brink of disaster.

Chanderpaul will receive many plaudits for his record-breaking hundred, yet the role played by Jacobs was just as important. Strolling to the crease with his team in more than a little trouble at 5/53, Jacobs played a typically gutsy, back-to-the-wall type innings that had become his trademark.

That Jacobs was basically playing on one leg, thanks to a pulled thigh muscle early in his innings, makes his performance all the more impressive.

His unbeaten 54 helped form what became a respectable if very disappointing total of 237. With a little support from his teammates (and perhaps the umpires), he would likely have inflicted more damage upon the Australians.

Jacobs has struggled for consistency in the past two seasons, both with the bat and behid the stumps, and would have been very concerned by the selection of likely successor Carlton Baugh in the Test squad.

But after today's performance, it looks as though young Baugh will have to wait a little longer for his opportunity.

Posted by JohnC