Lara resigns as West Indies captain

For the third time in world cricket this month, and the second this week, a Test captain has stood down. Following the resignations of Wasim Akram of Pakistan and Sachin Tendulkar of India, last night it was Brian Lara's turn.

The resignation of the West Indian captain was announced Thursday night in a statement released by West Indies Cricket Board secretary Andrew Sealy.

Lara, in a letter of resignation to the board, cited the "moderate success and devastating failures that have engulfed West Indian cricket".

"There is a need for me to withdraw from my present leadership position", Lara added.

The world-record holder for both the highest Test and first-class scores, Lara first took on the role of Test captain at Bridgetown, Barbados against India in 1996-97, when Courtney Walsh was injured. He led his side to victory in the only outright result of the series.

Following the West Indies' humilating 3-0 loss in Pakistan at the end of 1997, Lara took over the captaincy from Walsh on a permanent basis for the 1998 home series against England. The West Indies won this series 3-1. This was followed by what could be best described as a horror tour of South Africa in 1998-99. Following a standoff between the players and the WICB over conditions, the West Indies lost all five Test in South Africa.

With Lara's captaincy coming under fire following the African escapade, he was reappointed for the 1999 home series against Australia under what amounted to probationary conditions. A disastrous loss in the First Test was, however, followed by two remarkable victories in which Lara personally led from the front, scoring 212 at Kingston and 153 not out at Bridgetown. This series finished 2-2 and Lara's position was secure for the time being.

Another poor tour last December and January, this time of New Zealand, seems to have been the final straw. The Windies lost both Tests and all five one-day internationals to the Black Caps.

Lara is understood to have conveyed his decision to resign to Trinidad Cricket Board chairman Allay Lequay on Tuesday. BBC World Service reports that the West Indies team psychologist was brought in to try and talk Lara out of his decision, but to no avail.

The WICB is yet to name a new captain, with the First Test against Zimbabwe commencing on March 16. Jamaican captain and West Indian vice-captain Jimmy Adams is a likely contender, but the WICB may well consider Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who led Guyana this season, as a long-term investment in the job.