May 13, 2002	Monday	Safar 29, 1423

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ST JOHN’S (Antigua), May 12: Wicket-keeper Ajay Ratra slammed a historic maiden Test century as India declared their first innings at 513 for nine on the third morning of the fourth Test Sunday.

Ratra, 20, who had almost been left out of the match due to poor form with the bat, celebrated by punching the air and raising both his arms.

The youngster remained unbeaten on 115 after Vangipurappu Laxman fell for 130, adding just six to his overnight score.

They shared in a record 217-run partnership for the seventh wicket, beating the previous Indian record against West Indies of 186 put up in 1971 at Bridgetown by Eknath Solkar and Dilip Sardesai.

West Indies were 17 for no loss in reply by lunch, with Chris Gayle on seven and fellow left-hander Wavell Hinds on nine.

Ratra, from the northern state of Haryana, became only the second Indian wicket-keeper to score a Test century overseas. Vijay Manjrekar had scored 118 at Kingston in 1953, although it was the only one of his 55 Tests in which the middle-order batsman kept wicket.

India resumed on 462 for six but Laxman departed early to a freak hit-wicket when his back leg clipped the stumps as he tried to play a late flick off paceman Mervyn Dillon.

Ratra, who had started the day on 93, brought up his century by glancing Dillon to the fine-leg fence for his 12th four.

Paceman Cameron Cuffy dismissed Zaheer Khan (4) and Javagal Srinath (15) before Indian captain Saurav Ganguly decided to close the innings.

On Saturday, Laxman cracked his third Test century as India posted 462 for six by close of play.

Laxman, playing his 34th Test, rescued the tourists after West Indies’ pacemen had struck three early blows.

The 27-year-old Laxman hammered 13 fours in his 237-ball innings, punishing the West Indian four-pronged pace attack with his fluent drives through the off side.

The Hyderabad batsman crossed 2,000 runs mark in Test cricket when he reached 28.

His two previous centuries came against Australia — 167 at Sydney in 1999-2000 and an Indian record 281 at Kolkata after India were asked to follow-on, which inspired the home side to a stunning 2-1 series win last year.

India resumed on 226 for three but captain Saurav Ganguly departed early, adding just four runs to his overnight 41. The left-hander cut Cuffy to point where Hinds held on to a sharp catch.

Three overs later Rahul Dravid, who started the day unbeaten on 86, dragged a wide-ish ball from Dillon onto his stumps to end his 291-ball knock on 91.

Dillon softened Anil Kumble with a short ball that hit him flush on the jaw and then had him caught at leg slip for six while fending off another rising delivery.

The first four of the day came after 90 minutes when Laxman drove paceman Adam Sanford straight down the ground.

Laxman then drove Sanford for two consecutive boundaries and hooked Dillon to the fine-leg fence for four more before raising his 50, off 128 balls, flicking occasional off-spinner Chris Gayle for a single to mid-on.

He cut loose after tea, hitting some lusty blows on a batting pitch at the Antigua Recreation ground to move from 56 to 100 in just 44 deliveries.

Laxman flicked Sanford to the mid-wicket fence, pulled off-spinner Hooper to fine-leg, late cut occasional leg-spinner Ramnaresh Sarwan to the point boundary and then danced down the track to drive him for a straight four.

Ratra had a close shave on 49 when he was ruled in by the third umpire while going for a quick single to Shivnarine Chanderpaul at point.

The 20-year-old raised his half-century, off 164 balls, with a single off Hooper to short fine-leg and then got after the bowling, slamming 10 fours in all.

West Indies took the third new ball 17 overs before close but failed to make further inroads and Laxman and Ratra added 125 in the final session.