May 12, 2002	Sunday	Safar 28, 1423

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ST JOHN’S (Antigua), May 11: Indian opener Wasim Jaffer said Friday practising with the rubber ball helped him post his career-best score against the West Indies in the fourth Test here.

“I’ve played a lot of cricket with rubber balls,” said Jaffer, who scored a strokeful 86 for his second Test half-century in four matches.

“That helps me a lot in playing rising deliveries. I’ve been practising a lot with the rubber ball.”

The 24-year-old batsman was dropped after playing two Tests against Hansie Cronje’s South Africans at home in 2000 before being recalled for the third match against the West Indies at Bridgetown in Barbados this month.

He contributed 12 in the first innings, but batted extremely well for his 51 in the second.

“The last Test was very important for me,” he said. “I missed out in the first innings and I really wanted to score in the second,” he said.

“I thought I was looking good for a hundred here because I was playing well. The pitch was easy and I was determined to score my maiden Test hundred. I think that was a good ball and I just nicked it. I’m very disappointed.”

Jaffer batted more than two sessions before edging left-arm fast bowler Pedro Collins to wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs after tea. His 155-run stand with Rahul Dravid (86 not out) helped his team reach 226-3.

“When I go in to bat, I don’t think I’ve to dominate the bowling. I just wait for the loose balls and score off them. That’s the way I play,” Jaffer said, adding he owed his success to his brother.

“My brother, Kaleem, is like my coach,” he said. “He has always looked after me from my younger days. I think he should get all the credit for the way I’m batting.”—AFP