The Prince survives... for now (23 February 1999)

23 February 1999

The Prince survives... for now

Rick Eyre for CricInfo

The Prince of West Indian cricket, Brian Lara, has survived as captain - for the time being. At a press conference in St John's, Antigua on Monday night, West Indies Cricket Board president Pat Rousseau announced that Lara has been reappointed captain of the West Indies team for the First and Second Tests of the four-match series against Australia.

Lara's position will then be reviewed based on his performance in the job. He has been under heavy criticism recently following the team's 0-5 Test series loss to South Africa followed by a 1-6 loss of the one-day international series.

Rousseau told the media that Lara "needed to improve his leadership skills significantly."

"To this end, he will be given specific performance targets by the chairman of selectors related to improvement in his relationship with his players, discipline, interaction with the coach and manager, and nurturing and development of his team members", Rousseau said at the press conference which was televised live across the Caribbean and heard on the internet.

It is thought likely that the lack of a strong challenger for the captaincy post from within the current West Indian eleven may have been a factor preventing Lara from being axed immediately. There is little margin for error for Lara, however, as a 2-0 loss of the first two Tests would be enough for Australia to retain the Frank Worrell Trophy.

Team manager Clive Lloyd and coach Malcolm Marshall did not escape criticism for their handling of the tour, although remain under contract in those positions until October. "The three leaders [Lara, Lloyd and Marshall] cannot escape some responsibility. It was their obligation to get things back on track and they were unable to", said Rousseau.

Sports psychologist Dr Rudi Webster has been appointed to work with the West Indian camp to rebuild morale and confidence among team members. The team for the First Test will be announced next Monday March 1. The Test begins at Queen's Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, on March 5.

Rousseau also announced that Stuart Williams and Franklyn Rose will face disciplinary action as the result of incidents during the tour of South Africa.

The future of West Indian cricket is understood to be on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting of CARICOM (Caribbean Community) heads of government, to be held in the non-cricketing centre of Paramaribo, Surinam, on March 3 and 4.