Lara and Adams hold the key

This is the chance for the batsmen to repay overdue debts to the West Indies. It is now up to them rather than their bowlers, as is usually the case, to secure victory in this fascinating, fluctuating match.

Their recent record does not inspire optimism even if the presence of Brian Lara and the application of most of the others in the first innings does.

The last five West Indian defeats have all been through inept batting - twice to Australia in the recent series in the Caribbean, in Bombay to India in November, last April to England in Barbados and back in 1992- 1993 to Australia at Melbourne.

Prior to their first innings here they had gone seven consecutive innings without passing 300. Lara, the little left-handed genius, has fallen somewhat short of the great expectations that followed his celebrated Test record in Antigua over a year ago, and at the game's headquarters and in such a crucial match it may just be the inspiration he needs for the kind of performance that used to bring out in his predecessors such as Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd and Gary Sobers.

This is a pitch which requires great diligence on the part of the batsmen. If it is not as treacherous as it was on the second day the ball has kept varying heights and the England bowlers, in contrast to their West Indian counterparts, have found just the right length and line required.

If there is the same dedication that there was in the first innings the West Indies should win. Jimmy Adams, as much as Lara, is a key to the result, for while his fellow left-hander is adept at putting away anything even remotely loose, and therefore scoring at rapid rate, he provides the solid support at the opposite end.

After his dogged, uncharacteristic 40 in the first innings, Carl Hooper lapsed back into the indiscipline that has so frequently cost his wicket throughout his career and has made him such an enigma.

There would have been a collective groan throughout the Caribbean at his ill-advised lofted drive off Darren Gough that deposited a catch into mid-off's lap.

They may take some guidance from the way Robin Smith approached his task in holding together the England innings after the loss of Michael Atherton and Alec Stewart and the retirement of Graham Thorpe, when only 10 runs ahead.

Smith plays very low and was therefore a candidate for rapped knuckles which he suffered frequently but it was also an excellent tactic to guard against those that kept low.