Lara to keep West Indies job (18 March 1999)

18 March 1999

Lara to keep West Indies job

By Peter Deeley in Kingston

BRIAN LARA seems certain to be confirmed as West Indies captain for the last two Australian Tests following a seismic shift of Caribbean opinion in his favour.

The selectors have sent their recommendation to the West Indies Cricket Board in Antigua and it is inconceivable, after his match-winning double-century here, that there will be any challengers for the job.

Carl Hooper is now back from Australia, where he was at the bedside of his sick child, and has been appointed to lead West Indies A against Australia in a four-day game beginning on Saturday.

Lara is hoping to play for Trinidad and Tobago against Barbados in Bridgetown at the weekend in the final of the Busta first-class competition. But he will be playing under Ian Bishop, who many regard as the one outstanding captain in the Caribbean.

Because of a series of back injuries, however, Bishop is no longer the fast-bowling force he was. One commentator observed: "With our problems in the batting, if he was a batsman he would be out there right now."

Lara said he was "more than happy" to play under Bishop but he is still recovering from the bone fracture in his right wrist and also has a swelling at the back of the right ear - the result of a short ball from Glenn McGrath in the second Test.

Lara swears "undying loyalty" to the West Indies in whatever position he is called upon to serve. "My love for the team is unconditional and I would be happy to be back among the ranks if that is what they want."

Australia captain Steve Waugh has added his influential voice to the growing clamour for the International Cricket Council to take action over the unsatisfactory quality of television replay film available to the third umpire.

Waugh was involved in a difficult decision at Sabina Park, when he was given out caught low down on the leg side by West Indies wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs.

Umpire Peter Willey, after consulting colleague Steve Bucknor, asked the third umpire to rule on whether the catch had carried.

While they were awaiting the outcome, Waugh said: "Willey told me he did not think it was out: Mark [Waugh], the other batsman, said he didn't think it was out either, and the wicketkeeper said he wasn't sure."

The replay seemed inconclusive and it was only later that greater magnification showed that Jacobs had caught the ball cleanly.

Waugh was seen in conversation with Willey after the red light had flashed to indicate he was out. But Waugh explained: "I wasn't arguing with the umpire. I was asking who had given the decision, because I was surprised I was given out."

This is the third time in the series that the replay film immediately available has failed to provide positive evidence. Waugh said it was the sixth time the problem had occurred in his last half-dozen Tests.

"Surely, there has to be a better way than this of judging decisions," Waugh added. "You need at least a couple of side-on cameras and conclusive replays, with magnification instantly on hand to the third umpire."

Match referee Raman Subba Row, who is likely to include this issue in his report, said officials had raised the matter many times with the ICC.

The problem is largely one of cost. Four side-on cameras would require operatives to set up and run them, unless television could be persuaded to do the work. South Africa use some dedicated cameras, paid for by sponsorship.

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