Surprise show

Eight million passionate Caribbean cricket fans didn’t expect this. But they will certainly take it.

Dwayne Bravo’s men put in a seldom seen complete performance in the Indian city of Kochi yesterday, as the West Indies romped to an impressive 124-run victory over India in the first One-Day International.

Recalled middle-order batsman Marlon Samuels celebrated chief selector Clive Lloyd’s faith in him with a brilliant unbeaten 126 to lead the way. He starred in a fourth-wicket stand of 165 with Test skipper Denesh Ramdin (61), then also collected two wickets as the Windies reduced a lacklustre India to 197 all out, in reply to the regional team’s 321-6.

Here, Samuels (left) and Ramdin celebrating a wicket with Sulieman Benn (right) yesterday.