Trinidad and Tobago a better team with Lara - Browne

Whenever Brian Lara turns up for cricket he is a major factor.

And he will be a major player when Barbados welcome Trinidad and Tobago iin their Carib Beer International Challenge semifinal starting tomorrow at Kensington Oval.

"You can't ever count out Lara," said Barbados skipper Courtney Browne, who is also a close friend of the world double record-holder.

"But the only chance Trinidad have against us is when Lara plays. They were not very strong when we beat them a few weeks ago."

On that occasion Lara and fast bowler Merv Dillon were with the West Indies at the World Cup and Barbados steamrolled the visitors before lunch on Day 3.

"We expect them to be better with Lara around, and we know they gel together when he is there. But we are confident we can still take care of business."

Barbados welcomed back West Indies seam bowlers Vasbert Drakes and Pedro Collins and Browne expects them to be key players in the match. They replace left-arm seamer Ian Bradshaw and left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, who were both outstanding in the earlier matches.

"We were bowling well before and I expect to get better," Browne said. "The guys coming in are experienced and I believe we still have the edge."