Lara No Problem, Says Richardson (14 Dec 1995)

Electronic Telegraph Thursday 14 December 1995

West Indies Tour: Lara no problem, says Richardson

By Charles Randall

RICHIE Richardson yesterday shrugged off criticism from Brian Lara about his captaincy during last summer`s West Indies tour of England.

Lara, who has refused to join the current minor tour of Australia, was reported to have complained to last summer`s tour management that Richardson had failed to maintain discipline among the team.

Richardson commented on the issue in Adelaide, where the West Indies were preparing for their opening World Series one-day match against Sri Lanka.

He said: "People have their opinions on different things, and if Brian Lara gives his opinion about something, that doesn`t mean there is something between us.

"At this point we have a squad of players and we are concentrating on winning the triangular series. We are not thinking about what`s happened in the past."

He conceded that Lara`s absence was a blow to the West Indies prospects, but he added: "He`s a great miss, but what can we do? I`ve got no problem with Brian Lara."

Richardson insisted there was no panic among his team-mates after a notably bad start to the tour, which included a humiliating eight-wicket defeat by the Australian Cricket Academy earlier this week.

"We`ve just had a bad start to the tour - and that`s happened a few times before," he said.

"We just have to reflect a bit and see where we went wrong and get on the right track as soon as possible."

According to a report from Wes Hall, the manager, Lara had threatened to retire during the England tour, upset at the lack of discipline.

At a meeting with Peter Short, president of the West Indies Cricket Board, he complained about players cursing in public and engaging in other unruly acts.

Lara, who has stayed at home in Trinidad, said he would be available for the World Cup, which will be held in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka from Feb 10.

The Board, who meet to discuss his withdrawal tomorrow, have given no guarantees he will be selected.

Malcolm Marshall, Hampshire`s new coach, scored 99 not out at No 9 for Natal, but the former West Indies fast-bowler could not avert defeat for the Castle Cup leaders against Orange Free State at Bloemfontein.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)