Antigua's main cricket ground remained alive with laughter and movement long after Vasbert Drakes had scored the runs that took West Indies to their famous victory. Schoolboys played on the outfield, grown men danced a jig, photos were taken, farewells spoken, visitors played rudimentary games of cricket and everyone else tried to soothe nerves sorely tested in the preceding dramas.

About the only bone of contention around was the nomination of Shivnarine Chanderpaul as man of the match, the general opinion being that Omari Banks deserved the award after his astonishing performance under pressure.

Banks' innings counts among the calmest seen from any young man, let alone a youth raised on a boat and emerging from a tiny island that had not previously produced a Test cricketer.

Not that any friend of this amusing youngster was surprised by his steadiness under fire. Banks has taken many things in his stride, including playing music alongside his celebrated father Banksie in front of enormous crowds.

Neither a bunch of antipodean cricketers nor the tension in the match were ever likely to upset him. Not even the rough treatment of his off breaks disheartened him for he always wanted to keep bowling, a point the Australians noticed and respected.
Spared at slip the previous evening, Banks presented the straightest of bats on the fifth morning and waited patiently till scoring opportunities came along. In the end, the Australians blinked before he did.

Even in victory, he remained calm. Far from celebrating as the winning runs were scored and bedlam broke around the ground, Banks merely broke into a gentle trot and started practising his off drive, a stroke that had plainly met with his disapproval.

Credit must be given to the West Indian selectors for recognising his abilities. Drakes, his partner, has also played his part to the utmost, finding the courage to go for his shots when the match hung in the balance, his blows including a blacksmith's six over mid-wicket and the cut through point that brought victory.

In the critical hour, the West Indies found men with sporting valour in their blood.

As far as the broader game is concerned, this inspired and unexpected triumph is wonderful news. After years of squandering time and money upon teasers, the West Indies have been trying to rebuild around men of character.

Patently, Banks and Drakes have the required attitude, as does Ridley Jacobs, who scored 50 on one leg in the first Test and was unlucky in this contest. Devon Smith of Grenada, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Daren Ganga also played with the pride that had been missing.

The West Indies tried to change the way their players were thinking and were wasting their time. Better to choose men properly raised who think along the right lines before they encounter the rewards and responsibilities that accompany international cricket.

As the West Indian players and supporters celebrated, the Australians were left with much to reflect upon. As in Calcutta, they had allowed an apparently impregnable position to slip away. In both cases, bad habits crept into their games, a looseness of outlook that affected them in every way. Weariness played its part but the match exposed a weak point in the team, an Achilles heel located in the head.

Mistakes were made. Had the Australians batted competently from 0-242 onwards, they could not have lost this match.

Although fourth-innings scores have been rising, 418 is a daunting target. Steve Waugh must take some of the blame. Committed to attack, he was slow to stem the flow of runs on the crucial fourth evening.

Most particularly, he maintained over-aggressive fields for his leg spinner, though Stuart MacGill could not find his length. Perhaps the bowlers had not fully recovered from hard days in the field in the previous match.

Waugh did not take sufficient command of the match or his men, allowing the game to drift, though the ship was heading towards the rocks. It was his

job to realise that players and contest were out of control and to act accordingly.

No shame lay in defeat and Australia did win the series comfortably.

Nonetheless, this fourth Test must be taken into account in any assessment of this side and its captain. Australia allowed itself to be upset on the first day and did not regain complete control of its faculties.