Dillon delighted with performance

Paceman Mervyn Dillon said the first day's play of the third Test on Thursday was just what the West Indies needed as they seek to level the five-match series against India.

India won the second Test at Port of Spain by 37 runs last week to take a 1-0 series lead after the first Test was drawn.

Dillon grabbed four wickets for 41 as the home side bowled India out for a meagre 102 on a fast, bouncy track on a rain-shortened day at the Kensington Oval.

"Coming here one down, it was exactly the start we wanted in the match," Dillon told reporters.

"Getting India out for a 100-odd was what was needed and we managed to do that."

Dillon said the West Indies -- who ended the day on 33 for one in their first innings -- were now perfectly poised for a win.

"The wicket, if you get set, is still a very good batting wicket. I'm sure we'll do well and post a big West Indian total and go on to win the match," he said.

Dillon struck off the first ball of the match, bowling opener Shiv Sundar Das through the gate with sheer pace.

"It's the first time I've got a wicket on the first ball of a Test match, and things just went from there," he said.

The 27-year-old, who has taken five wickets in a Test innings only once against Pakistan, then went on to dismiss opener Wasim Jaffer, wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra and Javagal Srinath.

NOT WORRIED

"I'm not too worried about not getting five wickets today. It's always good to get five, hopefully I'll get it once before the series is over -- maybe twice," he said.

"The main goal for me is to help West Indies win the series."

Dillon said West Indies, who won the toss and elected to bowl, had gone into the Test with a definite plan, which worked out perfectly.

"We were playing four seamers and we always wanted to get a shot at them early," he said.

"Knowing the Barbados wicket, we knew it would help the quicks. There was quite a bit of pace and bounce on it and I think we bowled quite well."

Adam Sanford added three scalps and pacemen Pedro Collins and Cameron Cuffy chipped in with one each.

Dillon is playing his 24th Test and has 86 wickets but hopes to break through the 100-wicket barrier by the end of the series.

The West Indies are very much on top in this Test but they still might have to face the challenge of batting last on a wicket which can be difficult to score runs on.

Dillon said the team was not worried.

"We're quite happy batting last. We had a plan to put them in and get them out early and that's worked well for us. We've set ourselves up nicely in the match."

Mail Cricket Editor