Lara gets backing of Windies board

Brian Lara, who has been subject to a barrage of criticism following West Indies' 256-run defeat in the second Test, has received the public support of Tony Howard, the team manager.

"Although the results in the Test series thus far have not been satisfactory," said Howard, "this has not diminished the commitment and support that the team has expressed in the captain and in his ability to bring out the best in them. Brian remains committed as ever to the endeavour of raising the standard and quality of West Indies cricket and is as disappointed as our many fans in the end result achieved in the Tests."

West Indies' loss at Edgbaston was their eighth in the last ten Tests they have played against England, and prompted Sir Vivian Richards, the former West Indian chairman of selectors, to question Lara's leadership and motivational skills. West Indies have endured a miserable run of defeats since Lara took on the captaincy for a second time last year, losing 3-0 in South Africa, narrowly beating Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, and losing 3-0 to England in the Caribbean before the current series.