Lara wants to restore reputation at World Cup

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, Jan 27 AP - Star batsman Brian Lara today exuded confidence about the West Indies' chances of winning the upcoming cricket World Cup, saying he wants to restore his reputation as one of the best in the game.

"I'm looking forward to reinstating myself as the No.1 batsman in the world and that is my purpose in going out to South Africa," Lara said at the two-week preparatory camp, which ended today in Antigua.

Lara, 33, returned to competitive cricket recently after recovering from a mystery illness that forced him out of action during September's Champions Trophy.

"Whatever part I can play, I'm going to play it to the best of my ability," he said. The former captain holds the world record for Test and first-class individual scores.

Meanwhile, coach Roger Harper said the conditions in South Africa would dictate how the West Indies will approach their matches.

"We have an idea of how we want to approach it in South Africa," Harper said.

"But a lot of that depends on how we are playing, and where our strengths are in specific areas such as our bowling."

Harper's three-year contract as coach expires at the end of the competition.

West Indies faces hosts South Africa in the tournament opener in Cape Town on February 9 with matches against New Zealand, Bangladesh, Canada, Sri Lanka and Kenya to follow in their preliminary Group B.