Sarwan set to take over as captain

Ramnaresh Sarwan: 'If given the opportunity I will grab it with both hands' © Getty Images Enlarge

Ramnaresh Sarwan, West Indies' middle-order batsman, is all set to be named as captain for their next month's tour of England, replacing Brian Lara.

Lara is likely to face the axe after West Indies' unimpressive World Cup performance, one where they have lost their first four Super Eights matches.

There are chances Lara, who will play his last two one-day internationals this week, may not be selected at all for the tour of England in May where the West Indies play four Tests and three one-day internationals.

"I think the two names of Sarwan and Daren Ganga have appeared. Sarwan has been the vice-captain, so it's up to the board to decide on the recommendations made by the selectors," said former captain and current manager Clive Lloyd.

Sarwan has been Lara's deputy since 2003 and many believe he is the right choice to carry the West Indies team forward. Sarwan last week suggested he was ready for the responsibility. "If given the opportunity I will grab it with both hands," said Sarwan, 26, who may get a chance to follow his fellow Guyanese Rohan Kanhai, Lloyd, Alvin Kallicharan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul as West Indies captains.

He has led the West Indies in four one-day internationals, winning three. Ganga has led the West Indies A team and skippered the Trinidad & Tobago side to a domestic tournament win in January this year. When asked of Lara's chances not being selected at all, Lloyd replied: "That is up to the selectors, I am not among them."