Lara not letting up pressure

The regional side holds an unassailable 4-0 lead in the seven-match series, with the third encounter on May 6 in Guyana, abandoned because of rain.

“It’s just confidence you’re looking to gain,” said Lara. “With each victory, and with each execution, you get the guys to be more confident in their ability to do well. And that is great,” Lara said.

“I’m quite happy with the way we’re playing, it doesn’t matter (about) the opposition. I think there is some sort of disparity between the two and we’re showing that at the present time. Hopefully, we’re going to continue this weekend,” the triple world record-holder said.

Lara, in his third spell as WI captain said he was heartened by the performance recently of two slimly-built left-handers, opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon and spinner Dave “Tadpole” Mohammed, who each made their one-day debuts during this series.

“It says something about the competitiveness within the squad,” Lara stated. “The more we cater for that, in terms of resources, we’re going to get players outside knocking on the door and the guys inside know that they have to perform at their best to keep their position,” Lara said.

With Zimbabwe’s cricket riddled with administrative turmoil, Lara was realistic about the fact that the majority of their touring party were players in their teens or early 20s.

“I think they’ve got potential. They’ve got a few talented players. You can tell they’re lacking in experience,” Lara observed. “You really could not expect too much of them.

“A couple of the young players have definitely caught the eye. I’m sure they’re going to have a bright future.

“I still think they need some of the old guys back. It is unfortunate and it’s affecting their cricket and other things,” Lara added. “I still feel as long as you have a base, it’s always something to grow from.”

While Lara hinted before the series began that he may take a rest during the series, he made it clear that he will be playing today. But the 37-year-old said that complacency will not be allowed to creep into his team.

“Yes we’ll want to win convincingly but not get over-confident,” Lara stressed. “We need to build our confidence up but we need to know that, in the whole sphere of things, we’re actually just above the sea,” he said.

With the India ODI series due to start on Thursday, Lara said he is thinking ahead.

“We’re going to play against a team that has just beaten England and Pakistan in One-Day Internationals. They’re coming here and I’m almost sure that in 12 months time for the 2007 World Cup they’re going to be one of the favourites,” he said.

“We’re not going to be over-confident. We’re going to be working really hard, to get our game right this weekend,” Lara said.

He was also questioned about the non-inclusion of all-rounder Richard Kelly. “We’ve got very good all-rounders in Marlon Samuels, Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith. You don’t want to spoil it too much.

“Definitely one of the problems we’ve had in the past is injuries with fast bowlers,” the WI captain said. “And that’s why we’re using the rotation system. Everyone’s going to get their chance.”

Lara said he’s using the Zimbabwe matches to experiment with the young players and work on past encounters.

“We’ve revisited matches we’ve played against India and South Africa and worked on situations, why we won, why we did not win particular matches and I think it’s going to come together. It has to come together before the India series starts and I think the information we’re getting is very vital,” Lara said.

“I think the guys are catching on to it and they’re actually loving it. We’re going to move on from here and you’re going to see different things happening,” he said.

West Indies have recalled wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh and left-arm pace bowler Ian Bradshaw for the rested Denesh Ramdin and Chattergoon.

Following this weekend’s matches, Zimbabwe will remain in Trinidad for a triangular one-day series involving Bermuda and Canada, from May 16-20.

Teams -

WEST INDIES: Brian Lara (captain), Carlton Baugh (wicketkeeper), Ian Bradshaw, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Corey Collymore, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Dave Mohammed, Runako Morton, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Dwayne Smith, Jerome Taylor.

ZIMBABWE: Terrence Duffin (captain), Justice Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Charles Coventry, Keith Dabengwa, Ryan Higgins, Anthony Ireland, Blessing Mahwire, Keegan Meth, Tawanda Mupariwa, Edward Rainsford, Piet Rinke, Vusumuzi Sibanda, Gregory Strydom, Brendan Taylor (wicketkeeper), Prosper Utseya.