Sir Everton Weekes: West Indies can win

Cricket legend Sir Everton Weekes believes the West Indies have the players to go all the way in the upcoming World Cup in South Africa.

Speaking to NATIONSPORT on Tuesday, Sir Everton said the return of Brian Lara to the team could be a key factor in the West Indies success at the prestigious tournament which bowls off February 9 in Cape Town.

"We have a good chance of winning," said Sir Everton, who turns 78 on February 26. "If we can bowl out teams for anything under five runs per over we have a chance of winning matches. With [Brian] Lara and [Carl] Hooper we can get five an over. The bowlers must make sure they don't bowl ten for 60, and stay in the 40 to 50 range.

"The batting will look after itself - and now we have Lara that will strengthen it as well," added Sir Everton, one of the legendary Three Ws.

"Unfortunately, once Lara is available one of the younger batsmen will have to stand down, but once he [Lara] is available he should play in as many games as possible."

Lara returned to the side after a four-month layoff as he recovered from "suspected hepatitis". He came down with the illness after making a brilliant century in the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka and missed the subsequent trips to India and Bangladesh.

The West Indies bowl off the competition against South Africa, these two having been grouped in Pool `B' with Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Kenya and Canada.

Sir Everton noted that the recent good showings in the One-Day series in India and the victories in Bangladesh had placed the West Indies on the right footing.

"We seem to be now seeing the potential of the younger players," said Sir Everton, who made 4 455 runs in 48 Tests, including 15 centuries. "Two young players [Ramnaresh] Sarwan and [Marlon] Samuels, now that they have hundreds, their appetite for big scores should be opened."

Samuels, the tall, stylish Jamaican who turned 22 three days ago, recorded his maiden first-class, Test and One-Day centuries in India, while Sarwan, the polished Guyanese, also 22, made his first Test and One-Day tons in Bangladesh.

"The One-Day game is more suited to Samuels than Sarwan, but both are very good players who seem able to adapt. These two can become top-class players. They just have to work hard at their game," Sir Everton said.

West Indies schedule for the upcoming World Cup Cricket Competition:

February 9 - vs South Africa, Cape Town.

February 13 - vs New Zealand, Port Elizabeth.

February 18 - vs Bangladesh, Benoni.

February 23 - vs Canada, Centurion.

February 28 - vs Sri Lanka, Cape Town.

March 4 - vs Kenya, Kimberley.

Super Six: March 7 to 15 - at Centurion, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, East London and Durban.

Semifinals: March 18 - 1st Super Six vs 4th Super Six,Port Elizabeth and March 20 - 2nd Super Six vs 3rd Super Six, Durban.

Final: March 23 - Johannesburg.