Lara lauds fielding display

Marlon Samuels was in excellent form with the bat for West Indies © Getty Images

West Indies captain Brian Lara hailed his side’s efforts in the field after their three-wicket victory in the third one-day international of the Pepsi Series against India in Chennai.

The hosts looked to be on course for a total in excess of 300 with Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar going well at 232 for three, but some excellent bowling and fielding restricted India to 268 all out.

A typically entertaining knock from Lara (83) helped guide his side towards their victory target, and he shared a 127-run fourth-wicket partnership with man of the match Marlon Samuels, who made a superb 98.

The victory ensures the Windies can square the four-match series with another win in the final ODI in Vadodara on Wednesday.

“It was a very good match. I was hoping the pitch would last 100 overs and it did,” said Lara.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul is likely to return for the last match © Getty Images

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“They had 200 and something in 29 overs, but the guys really bowled well after that, brought the game back and it was unbelievable.

“The last 15 overs in the field the guys held everything that came to them, some really good catches, (to dismiss) Tendulkar and Dravid.

“It was a good performance with the bat and a very commanding win.”

Lara revealed the team had been determined to bounce back after losing the opening two matches of the series.

“Yes, it’s something we spoke about, coming from behind," he added. "A lot of people say we are very unpredictable. They say we win comfortably but also lose very comfortably.

“I think it's important for us to fight and we came out and really did a good job.”

The skipper has now set his sights on ending the series on a positive note to aid West Indies' World Cup preparations.

“Yes, it will be good, a big game (in Vadodara). It's our last game before the World Cup so the guys will be looking forward to it. We will have (Shivnarine) Chanderpaul back hopefully and we will play our best team.”

Robin Uthappa made sure India's batsmen got off to a flying start © Getty Images

Lara’s opposite number, Dravid, admitted his side paid the price for posting a below-par total and described their batting as “just not good enough”.

“We were quite a few runs short. We needed about 330-340 runs on this wicket. It was a really good wicket.” said Dravid.

“Yes ,we got a few wickets in the end but we got the right kind of start.

"We just lost a lot of wickets towards the end. Losing seven wickets for 40 runs in the end was a collapse and just not good enough.

“We tried our best, got some early wickets but Brian (Lara) and Marlon played really well and took the game away from us.”

On a positive note, Dravid was impressed with the performance of young opening batsman Robin Uthappa, who made a blistering 70 off just 41 balls.

“You have to give these boys some opportunities and then you can see what talent is available," Dravid said. "Robin played a great innings. I just hope he can keep the form in all the games to come.”