Captain's Log: We need a boost (8 January 1999)

8 January 1999

Captain's Log: We need a boost

By Brian Lara

CAPE TOWN - In a few months, we will be playing against Australia - the team considered to be the best among the Test playing countries in the world.

If you consider that the South Africans are second to the Australians among the Test rankings, then you would understand why we are determined not to lose this series 5-0.

We've continued to be deficient in our batting and injuries to Courtney, Curtly and lately Franklyn have not helped our cause.

I understand the concern with which the West Indian followers must be viewing our performances. Nobody likes a loser. You'd probably be surprised to know that I'm included among that group.

It's difficult to motivate and get players to perform their best given the current situation.

Although we planned how we were approaching the 406 runs which South Africa made in the first innings, one never got the feeling that the players were convinced that we could pass that score.

The reality is that we have found ourselves in a hole from which it is difficult to climb out.

It is a major challenge to, not only me, but the entire team management. If we can somehow lift ourselves, I still believe the talent is there. All we need is the belief in ourselves.

Ridley Jacobs seems unperturbed by all the negatives. He has certainly confirmed his emergence as the find of the tour and remains an excellent team man.

Although he could claim that he was unjustly treated by the selectors over the years, he has left that baggage behind and prefers instead to focus on doing well. He has really adjusted to this level quickly.

You can safely expect Darren Ganga to open in the final Test. I wanted him on this tour badly because I am certain that he is a player for the future.

Unfortunately, my plan was for him to learn from this series but the absence of Adams and poor form of some of the middle-order have given a premature start to his career.

Everyone agrees that he has great promise. But he needs to train his mind to spend long hours at the crease.

When that happens, he will be assured of a long relationship with the game at this level. He will get a great opportunity against Donald and Pollock to start. I would be only too happy to see him come through with a plus.

It seems unfortunate that the only time we hear from our people back home is when we are on top.

No one ever bothers to call or even send messages to us when we are doing badly. Sometimes you need a friend when you are down - not only when you are on top.

There are individuals here who are doing well.I would welcome somekind of encouragement for them.

There was a time I received so many messages that I had to stay up very late in the night just to read them. These days, the fax machine is idle.

Just in case you are interested in sending a word of some sort - maybe to Ridley, Franklyn or even Darren, I am going to give you the number - 011-2721-423-8875.

It may not seem so, but we too are hurting. But you must remember that despite what happens on this tour, some of these players will be faces which the West Indian people will be seeing for a number of years to come.

In the circumstances, it would be nice to hear some word of comfort from our own people back home.

We are in the middle of a world of negatives here in South Africa.

How nice it would be for the president of my own country to say something to us...to offer a word of reassurance or consolation.

It's not too late!

Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)