Captain Lara ... the prince is now king (8 Jan 1998)

Thursday, January 8, 1998

Captain Lara ... the prince is now king

By KWAME LAURENCE

THE coronation has come.

There are those who would describe it as long-awaited, while others may argue that the ascension of Brian Charles Lara to the throne of West Indies cricket is premature. But, like it or not, the prince of Port of Spain is now the king of regional cricket.

"I must say, it is a very tricky seat to be in at this moment but I will try my best," Lara said at yesterday's special West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) press conference, which was carried live from the Club Antigua resort throughout the Caribbean by CanaRadio.

The selection committee's recommendation to appoint Lara captain for last year's tour of Pakistan was rejected by the WICB. The team, led by Jamaica's Courtney Walsh, was subsequently blanked 3-0 by Pakistan-the first time in 69 years the West Indies had been whitewashed in a Test series.

On this occasion, the WICB accepted the recommendation that Lara be appointed captain of the West Indies team for the Cable and Wireless Test and One-day series against England.

The double world record-holder hopes to have the services of his predecessor for his first "test" in the hot-seat, the first Test against England, which starts on Thursday January 29 at Sabina Park, Jamaica.

"I am looking forward to having him...he has been an asset to West Indies cricket and as far as I am concerned will always be an asset," said Lara yesterday.

WICB president Pat Rousseau told regional journalists that Walsh "expressed some disappointment" about his sacking as West Indies skipper.

"It's quite natural but I think he recognises the period of change. He's thinking about his position. We hope he's going to continue to represent the West Indies and that we'll see him playing against England in the upcoming series, if he is selected."

Walsh, who has captured 353 wickets in 96 Tests, needs a further 24 to overtake Malcolm Marshall (376) as the Caribbean team's most successful Test bowler.

The Jamaican pacer has led the side ever since former skipper Richie Richardson retired from international cricket after the 1996 World Cup. Walsh was the losing captain when Australia beat the West Indies 3-2 "Down Under" in the 1996-97 rubber. If he continues his international career, the 35-year-old cricketer will play under the man who often served as his vice-captain.

The 28-year-old Lara, who could be said to be achieving a life's ambition, is looking forward to filling his ex-skipper's shoes.

"I think it is going to be very challenging and exciting. I think West Indies cricket will benefit...and I know that West Indies cricket will be successful."

The Trinidad and Tobago batsman, widely regarded as a cricket tactician, comes to the top post with ample experience.

He led the regional side at the Youth World Cup in Australia in 1988, and the grooming process has continued ever since. But whereas Lara's ability as a strategist has hardly been debated, disciplinary issues and fines incurred by him led to doubts about how suitable he was to lead the West Indies.

However, Rousseau told yesterday's news conference that the board unanimously supported the Santa Cruz lad as captain. But the WICB head declined to comment on reports that the board had previously rejected the nomination of Lara as captain by the selectors.

Lara, who has scored 4,133 Test runs at an average of 51.66 per innings, has already had a taste of Test success, leading the regional team to a miraculous victory against India at Kensington Oval during last year's home series. Walsh was injured.

But the next time the new king of regional cricket steps onto a field wearing a maroon West Indies cap, the responsibility of leading the team to victory and, ultimately, back to the top of world cricket, will be solely his.

Source :: The Trinidad Express (https://www.trinidad.net/express/)