Over three days of a tense, gripping, low-scoring opening Test, played out on a sub-standard surface, the West Indies have disregarded the preceding bickering and back-biting, the carping over the captaincy and the debated departures for the Indian Premier League (IPL), the politicking and the talk of Dudus and Dons, to diligently battle their way into a strong position.
A lot more hard work lies ahead this morning if they are to convert their advantage into the rare victory the game in these parts so badly needs for a host of obvious reasons.
The evidence, based on their own efforts and on the behaviour of a dry, unpredictable pitch, encourages optimism. Pakistan, 80 for three at close in