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Lara proclaims he's fit and ready

Worries over the wrist injury to West Indies skipper Brian Lara were set at rest by the master batsman himself, when he proclaimed that he would be fit and ready to lead his team out for the Windies' opening fixture, against Pakistan, on May 16.

The team arrived to a rather unusual welcome when it landed at Gatwick airport. Two models, promoting a brand of Caribbean beer, stripped naked to greet the players.

"It was a bit glamorous but the reception was acceptable," Lara quipped.

Talking about his wrist, he said, "It is a bit temperamental, but it wil be OK."

Lara was injured during the team's tour of South Africa earlier this year, when he was struck by a ball. Though he went on to play the Test series against Australia, he was forced to miss the last three limited overs matches against that opponent.

Lara said that the key to the Windies hopes was the fact that several players -- especially his bowling spearheads Courtney Walsh and Curtley Ambrose, not to mention Lara himself -- had experience of English conditions.

Referring to the sudden decision by all-rounder Carl Hooper's to retire from international cricket after he had been named to the World Cup squad, Lara said: "We need to be realistic about what's happened with Carl. He's an experienced player, but his absence gives a chance for a youngster to show his credentials. We've picked 15 players and they are all competing for a place."

Lara said that the Windies teams of 1975 and 1979, which had won the first two editions of the World Cup, were known for individual brilliance, for playing the game with flair. "But now we have a great team spirit and that's what you need to succeed," Lara said, of the outfit he himself is leading. "The World Cup is a huge event and the expectation level in the Caribbean is very high. This is definitely the top tournament because Test cricket lacks this kind of event."

Lara said that Walsh and Ambrose held the key to his country's chances. "They have been written off so many times, but they have always come back," he pointed out. "They know about playing in England at this time of the year, and the conditions will be perfect for them."

Agencies