KEY POINTS:
Denesh Ramdin personifies the West Indies' burgeoning confidence as they seek to extend their lead in the one-day cricket series against New Zealand when game three is held at Westpac Stadium in Wellington tomorrow.
The West Indies' first choice wicketkeeper resembled a tortured soul during last month's test series, his fluctuating career seemed set on a downward trajectory after a less than polished display behind the stumps - and minimal impact with the bat.
Ramdin contributed only 17 runs in three test innings, with a highest score of six. The 23-year-old from Trinidad and Tobago was also involved in the most embarrassing fielding let-off of the series in Napier when he and Fidel Edwards neglected to catch a top edge from Tim McIntosh's bat when the opener was 14 runs into his maiden century.
The glitches did not end there and Ramdin found himself demoted for the first Twenty20 match for understudy Carlton Baugh, who has otherwise been a passenger on tour.
However, despite his lack of form Ramdin retained the vice-captaincy of the one-day side and repaid some of that faith when he emerged as an unlikely hero of the West Indies' five-wicket win in game two at Christchurch last weekend.
With the rain-affected contest seemingly tilted in New Zealand's favour after dangerman Chris Gayle was dismissed for 36 with 97 runs still required, Ramdin and Ramnaresh Sarwan eventually guided the tourists home but collecting 40 runs off the final four overs to secure a 1-0 lead with a ball remaining.
Their 48 run stand from 32 balls achieved the desired result on three levels - a series lead, a boost to the West Indies' self belief and for Ramdin his unbeaten 28 from 18 balls ensured he finally felt a sense of self worth.
"It was very satisfying, I really cherished the moment," he said.
"I've been disappointed with how I've batted on the tour, especially in the tests. I'm capable of getting a lot more runs than that."
Ramdin's brisk knock contained three boundaries. An improvised ramp shot just beyond Kyle Mills at short fine leg was the highlight - and an indication of how his luck may finally be changing.
"It came off in the end which looks good. Personally I have a bit of confidence now. Any batsman who has a start and runs under his name has confidence going into the next game."
Ramdin has battled form slumps since he was anointed as the West Indies leading gloveman for the tour of Sri Lanka in 2005.
He impressed in the series against Australia later that year, a dogged 71 in the second test in Hobart was his abiding memory.
When India toured the Caribbean in mid-2006, his wicketkeeping was impressive though his batting was patchy, a trend that continued in the 2006-07 season.
He averaged only 18.60 as his batting woes continued but was retained for the World Cup where he managed a solitary half century against the Australians.
The selectors finally explored other options last year when he was omitted from the Tri-Series in Canada with Bermuda in August but his future seems assured for now.
Sarwan certainly appreciated Ramdin's input at AMI Stadium when the game was in the balance.
"He's had a tough tour. He's been out of the team and recently been called back and he hasn't really done that well," Sarwan said.
"He's been under a bit of pressure but we played really well and took the pressure off me to be honest."
While there is evidently little between the sides after the tests and Twenty20 formats were drawn, Ramdin hoped the manner of the West Indies victory in Christchurch gave his team the edge in the five-match ODI series.
"There's a different mood now. The guys are now believing they're capable of doing it," he said.
The West Indies might also have been buoyed by the bulk of the New Zealand top order's failure to make an impression when they were released to play in the domestic one-day competition yesterday.
Under fire for neglecting to set a challenging score last weekend, their brief foray in the State Shield hardly engendered confidence before the squad reassembled in the capital today.
Ross Taylor (46) was the only top order batsman to make double figures as Brendon McCullum (4), Jamie How (9) and Daniel Flynn (2) all fell cheaply.
Meanwhile, experienced West Indian batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul remains in doubt with his bruised left hand - a call will be made shortly before the toss.
New Zealand allrounder Jacob Oram faces a fitness test on his inflamed left Achilles tendon today before the extent of his involvement is clarified.
- NZPA
