DOUBLE world record batsman Brian Lara named West Indies captain for the second time yesterday said he did not expect to be back so soon after giving up the role two years ago.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) announced yesterday that Lara will replace Carl Hooper as captain of the West Indies team against Australia and Sri Lanka with 22-year-old Guyanese Ramnaresh Sarwan as his deputy. Lara speaking after the semi-final Carib Beer International Cup match between Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados said: “I would not have taken the job if I thought we couldn’t beat Australia and now I think I have the right tools to get the job done.” Lara was first appointed captain in January 1998 and gave up captaincy after two years at the helm. “I am more experienced now and I think I would do a much better job now,” he said.

Lara who said he was not ready to return to the captaincy so soon had a change of heart after the situation around the regional team changed. “We have a different set-up now and I think if I didn’t take the job it would have been a dereliction of duty, since most of the team is so young. “I am happy to be back as captain and ready to mould this very talented team into a winning bunch. We could not have asked for a better challenge than the world champions first up and I am really interested in building characters and making better players. “We need to compete against Australia and once we do that we will be moving in the right direction. The pitches in the Caribbean are results oriented and once we compete with them (Aussies) I see no reason why we can’t topple them. “Come Test time it would be 11 men against 11 men, they are the stronger team on paper but I have 11 cricketers and will be going all out to get them.” Lara said.

Last time Lara captained the West Indies against Australia in the Caribbean the series ended 2-2 with the batting genius getting three hundreds, including an epic 213 not out in Jamaica. Lara also said he would love to have an in-form Carl Hooper in the team against Australia. “Carl would have to tell us whether he would like to be in the set-up and once he is in form I would love to have him, ” the new captain said. Queen’s Park Cricket Club president and ex-West Indies spinner Willie Rodriguez who also played football for the West Indies said Lara was the logical choice. “It is too much of a burden for the younger players to be given the captaincy, so given this position I think it was the only logical choice,” he added.

And ex-Test pacer now commentator Ian Bishop said: “The younger players in the team are really not ready for leadership at the moment and hence going back to Lara was a good thing. They need strong leadership against the Australians and Lara will provide this.” “Lara is the best man to captain the West Indies cricket team at the moment.” said former West Indies and Trinidad and Tobago off-spinner Rangy Nanan. And West Indies Players Association president Dinanath Ramnarine said: “The West Indies Players Association (WIPA) will like to congratulate Brian Lara on his elevation as captain of the West Indies team.”

ALBION: Guyana closed the gap in the semifinal Carib Beer match against Jamaica yesterday, led by half centuries from Krishna Arjune, Narsingh Deonarine, Carl Hooper and Shivrnarine Chanderpaul. Guyana ended the third day’s play at 316 for four wickets compared to Jamaica’s 486/7 declared. The fourth and final day resumes today.

The winner of the match advances to the final to face Barbados, who defeated Trinidad and Tobago by nine wickets in their semifinal match yesterday. Resuming at 207 for three at tea, Guyana lost the wicket of Deonarine in the session and leg-before-wicket to part-time spinner Chris Gayle for 55. But Hooper and Chanderpaul batted sensibly to ensure Guyana reached a respectable total. Batsmen not out are Chanderpaul, closing in on his 10th century at this level, on 96 and Hooper on 49. The Guyanese batsmen, just as their Jamaican counterparts did in the first two days, built huge middle-order partnerships, 97 between Chanderpaul and Deonarine and 102 between Hooper and Chanderpaul. A battle for first innings points looms on the final day. Guyana, last year’s champions, won by first innings against Jamaica in 2002 due in large part to a century by Hooper.

Summarised scores: JAMAICA 486/7 declared vs GUYANA 316/4 – S. Chanderpaul 96 not out, C. Hooper 49 not out, N. Deonarine 55.

NATIONAL road cycling champion Emile Abraham proved his class on the local circuit when he won the Harricrete-sponsored Winner Takes All 30-lap race in front of the Cricket Wicket Pub, Tragarete Road, Port of Spain,   yesterday.

The Tobago-born wheelsman, who maintained within striking distance of the pack for most of the race, won in a time of 54 minutes 41 seconds, and secured the $3,000 jackpot in the novel event organised by Phillips Promotions. Runner-up was Shannon Metivier, son of former Arima Mayor Edward Metivier while the veteran David Alves finished third. Also involved in the day’s events were cyclists from Europe and the Caribbean, as they prepared for this weekend’s Southern Games at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre as well as the forthcoming Beacon Insurance Company Limited West Indies versus The World Series.

Other Results:
Women 5-Laps – 1.Ruth Hassels; 2.Crystal De Luz; 3.Adrielle Mahabir.
Veterans 6-Laps – 1.Gregory Dandrade; 2.Dick Ramchand.
Juniors 6-Laps – 1.Adam Alexander; 2.Haseem McLean; 3.Gustavo Jacob.

SYDNEY: Australia’s demotion to number two on the ICC Test rankings would serve as extra motivation in their four-Test series against the West Indies, Test captain Steve Waugh said yesterday.

Waugh’s team were to fly to the Caribbean yesterday and the 37-year-old skipper said he was keen for Australia to return to the number one ranking. “Unless we win this series we will remain the number two side so there is a lot to play for,” Waugh told reporters at Sydney airport. “I’ve thought about it a few times. “I know the other guys probably haven’t as yet but once we get over to the West Indies that will be one of the motivating factors.”

Australia drew 2-2 four years ago in the Caribbean in Waugh’s first series as captain but embarrassed the tourists 5-0 in Australia in 2000-01. “People expect us just to turn up and beat the West Indies – it is not going to be the case. It is a tough tour to be on, but enjoyable,” said Waugh, who equalled Allan Border’s world record of 156 Test appearances in the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney in January. Batsman Damien Martyn, who broke his finger at the World Cup and is remaining in Perth for treatment, is the only real injury concern after fast bowler Jason Gillespie, who was sent home from the World Cup with a heel complaint, bowled in the nets last week and declared himself fit. The first Test starts in Guyana on April 10.

TRINIDAD and Tobago succumbed to top-seeded Puerto Rico in their Group “B” Davis Cup Americas Group III first round tie on the centre court of the Jean Pierre Sports Complex yesterday.

Spearheaded by the Stone brothers Troy and Shane, TT faced their toughest opponent in their quest to get back into Group II, but were beaten 3-0 by the much-more efficient Puerto Ricans. Troy Stone, the number two singles player, found no answer to 20-year-old newly-crowned Puerto Rican senior champion Luis Haddock, and went down 1-6, 2-6. Haddock, a student at the University of Notre Dame and ranked among the top 10 juniors in the United States, needed 90 minutes to make a statement in his first Davis Cup outing. His victory provided inspiration for the rest of his compatriots.

The experienced Shane Stone was expected to hold off Gilberto Montilla but committed too many unforced errors, and was clearly upset with many line calls which eventually affected his overall game. He fought on  bravely to level the match set all, after the former three-time Puerto Rican national senior champion Montilla won the first set 6-3. Stone took the second 4-6. But Montilla played sensibly to take the decisive third set 6-2 after one hour and 50 minutes. Gilberto Alvarez joined Montilla to whip the Stone brothers 7-6, 6-4. in straight sets to win the doubles. Guatemala, playing on court one, also secured  a comfortable 3-0 win over St Lucia in the other Group B tie. Walter Barahona, 19, beat Vernon Lewis 6-3, 4-6,  7-5, while 35-year-old Rodrigo Gabriel toyed with Sirsean Arlean in winning 6-1, 6-2. Jorge Tejada and Christian Paiz then whipped Lewis and Yves Sinson 6-3, in the doubles. Jamaica (2-1) and El Salvador (3-0) won their Group A ties against Bolivia and Honduras on courts three and four respectively.

Davis Cup Results (First Day):
GROUP A — JAMAICA beat Bolivia 2-1 — Ryan Russell bt Javier Tabogra 6-4, 6-2; Dustin Brown bt Alberto Sottocorno 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-3; Nakia Gordon and Ryan Russell lost to Alberto Sottocorno and Javier Tabogra 6-2, 3-6, 4-6.
EL SALVADOR beat Honduras 3-0 — Rafeal Arevalo bt Carlos Caceres 4-6, 6-3,  6-4; Jaime Cuellar bt Carlton Alvarez 6-1, 6-0; Jose Baires and Augusto Senabira 3-6,  6-7.

GROUP B — PUERTO RICO beat Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 – Luis Haddock bt Troy Stone 6-1, 6-2; Gabrial Montilla bt Shane Stone 6-3, 4-6, 6-2; Gilberto Alvarez and Gabriel Montilla bt Troy and Shane Stone 7-6, 6-4.
GUATEMALA beat St Lucia 3-0 — Walter Barahona bt Vernon Lewis 6-3, 4-6,  7-5; Rodrigo Gabriel bt Sirsean Arlean 6-1, 6-2; Jorge Tejada and Christian Paiz bt Lewis and Yves Sinson 6-3, 6-3.

Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive defeated Success Laventille by two wickets in the PowerGen Secondary Schools Cricket League North Zone Under-16 competition.

After their allotted 30 overs, Success, batting first, reached 215/5 with Akiel Brown counting an unbeaten 108. He struck 15 fours and a six and was well supported by Daniel Cole with 41. Mucurapo then raced to their target off 27.5 overs for the loss of eight wickets. K Fratus got an unbeaten 88 and T Allen made 38. Arun Churkoo grabbed 3/38 but it was all in vain.

POWERGEN SCORES
UNDER-16 DIVISION
Success Laventille 215/5 (30 overs)(Akiel Brown 108 n.o., Daniel Cole 41, K Samuel 2/28) lost to Mucurapo SC 216/8 (27.5 overs) (K Fratus 88 n.o., T Allen 38, Arun Churkoo 3/38) —- By two wkts.
Success Laventille 207/7 (30 overs)(Natalian Hoyte 47, Roland Charles 3/36) def Belmont JS 83 all out (16 overs)(Lashley Hosein 3/16) —- By 124 runs.

UNDER-13 DIVISION
Success Laventille 114 (K Browne 24, C Ramoutar 3/20) lost to QRC 115/8 (D Ignascio 37) — By two wkts.

NORTH ZONE UNDER-15
Success Laventille 63 (K Malchan 3/8) def MICO EYM 53 (N Hoyte 3/2, M Dookran 3/4) — By 10 runs.
Success Laventille 104/7 (Roland Charles 23, Shawn Sinanan 4/28) def Progressive 57 (D Ramnath 20, Kendall Defour 3/16) — By 47 runs.

Medium pacer Adesh Ramnarine, playing for Amateurs in the Nation-wide cricket series, grab-bed seven wickets for eight runs to create a record for the best bowling in the history of the league. Kroisee Boys were the team on the wrong side of Ramnar-ine’s bowling and were skittled for 29. Amateurs then raced to victory at 32 for one — taking the match by nine wickets.

Former South East all-rounder Lee Phoolchan was also in great form striking a brilliant 148 in defending champions Red Devils score of 339 for five off 30 overs against Surprise. Batting first, Red Devils totalled 339 for five and then restricted Surprise to 235 for six with Glen Dwarika getting 73. Alix Sookhan bowled Red Devils to victory with four for 47. Former Cosmos batsman Heralal Lalloo was also in fine form striking 117 against Starwars as Spoilers Cricket Club won by 51 runs. Batting first Spoilers made 243 all out with Lalloo getting his ton and Starwars made 192 for nine in reply. Rodney Gangoo made 71, while Sultan Mohammed was the chief wicket-taker with four for 36.

NSL SCORES
Ghandi Utd 188/9 (Mitra Ragoonanan 46 n.o., Dave Mohammed 3/21) def All Apaches 166 (Harnarine Ganga 52) — By 22 runs.
St. Croix Rees Rd 207 def Golconda Utd 170 (Hamid Khan 4/30) — By 37 runs.
Red Devils 339/5 (Lee Phoolchan 148, M Dwarika 4/60) def Gasparillo 235/6 (Glen Dwarika 73, Alix Sookhan 4/47) — By 104 runs.
City Boys 200/9 lost to Clarke Rochard 202/7 (A Seegobin 49) — By three wkts.
Petrotrin Penal 132 lost to Knockers 134/9 (R Ramnath 4/11) — By one wkt.
Nazarites 177/8 (T Mc Intosh 51, D Persad 4/27) def  Railwayline 106 — By 71 runs.
T-Birds 223/4 (S Ramsingh 75) def Knockers 117 — By 106 runs.
Starwars 144/9 lost to Spoilers 149/5 (Heralal Lalloo 41n.o.) — By five wkts.
Kroisee Boys 193/9 (H Ramjass 48) lost to Hardbargain 194/8 (T Smith 92 n.o., G Deonath 5/75) — By 2 wkts.
Kroisee U-Dogs 29 (Adesh Ramnarine 7/8) lost to Amateurs 32/1 — By 9 wkts.
Knockers 129 lost to N.M.O. 131/5 — By five wkts.
Petrotrin Penal 191/4 (D Smart 67) def Hardbargain 106 (V Ganga 48, P Popo 4/14) — By 85 runs.
Spoilers 243 (Heeralal Lalloo 117, T Gangoo 4/31) def Starwars 192/9 (Rodney Gangoo 71, Sultan Mohammed 4/36) —- By 51 runs.
Amateurs 207/9 (R Maharaj 77, R Ramnarine 3/27) def Knockers Utd 152/7 (S Sanasie 53) — By 55 runs.
Surprise 166 (V Ganga 5/20) lost to Hardbargain 170/3 (A Ramgobin 58) —- By 7 wkts.
Petrotrin Penal 178/8 (V Bridgelal 46, D Jadoonanan 4/14) lost to T-Birds 119/8 (K Ramjattan 3/22) —- By 59 runs.
Golconda Utd 243/7 (S Rambally 66, T Jacobs 3/35) def No I Strikers 223 (Mikey Saunders 85, R Sookoo 5/39) —- By 20 runs.
Amateurs 227 (R Ramkissoon 42, F Hosein 4/28) lost to Starwars 231/5 (Rodney Gangoo 136) —- By 5 wkts.

Trinidad and Tobago amateur boxers battered their Martiniquan counterparts and emerged victorious by a 5-1 margin on an international card staged at the Siparia Lions Civic Centre over the weekend.

Leading TT to glory over the Frenchmen was the immensely-talented Aaron Cumberbatch who exerted his superiority over Kenny Broguey in their flyweight clash. Fighting with 108lbs, Cumber-batch displayed superior ring craft and dazzling speedy combinations as he scored unanimously over Broguey (110lbs) on all three judges’ scorecards. He was voted “TT Fighter of the Night” for his classy showing.

Aaron Hassett, Andrew Fermin, Richard Straker and Simon Prince proved too much for the visitors who got their consolation victory when TT’s Keston Burton dislocated his right shoulder and forced the referee to stop the contest after 37 seconds of the third round in a welterweight contest. Burton (153lbs) traded punches with Ludovic Beraud (154 lbs) but soon found himself in difficulties after his right arm dropped from the socket. Ludovic gained the verdict with a RSC (Referee Stopped Contest).  He gained the verdict  as  “Martinique Fighter of the Night.” Fermin (145lbs) pummelled his much more heavier opponent Lionel Angelique (156lbs) and won by a 3-0 margin in their light welterweight scrap while Simon Prince (165lbs) also secured a commanding 3-0 win over Mario Piston (166 lbs) in a light heavyweight showdown.

Hassett  (135lbs) stopped Steve Beraud (137) 2-1 in their lightweight contest while Straker inflicted a similar defeat to Jimmy Granville (170) in another light heavyweight clash. In the featherweight clash, TT’s Anthony Olivierre (124lbs) defeated Miguel Antoine (124) of Barbados by a 2-1 margin. On the distaff  side, Tiana Soca Saney (142 lbs) of Tigers Gym outpointed Giselle Martin (142) of White Eagles while Avalon Oliver (104 lbs) of Sand City gained an RSC (1:12 of the First Round) over Paige Cardinez (87) of White Eagles. Cardinez received a two eight-point count. Schola Carrington (167lbs) of White Eagles stopped Krystal Lessey (165) of Phoenix of Princes Town by a RSC (Head Blow, 1:41 of Second Round).

In the other local bouts, Joseph Straker (142) of Sand City demolished Ellis Thompson (144) of Youth Training by a 3-0 margin; Makeele Quashie (128) of White Eagles downed Fayhym Mohammed (125) of Cosmic Gym; while Leroy Isidore (124) of Fine Line Studios took care of Richard Boodram (125) of Phoenix with RSC (Referee Stopped Contest) after 1:56 of the second round.

For the Tobago Plantations Seniors Classic 2003, the promoters and Tobago Plantations have extended a sponsor’s invitation to Alan Mew, a local golf professional from Trinidad and Tobago.

Mew lives and works in the UK and is now qualified to play on the European Seniors Tour. In a recent interview Mew was asked about his life now and his hopes and expectations for his return to home soil.

Q: Where did you originate from and what did you do prior to moving to the UK?
A: I was born in Trinidad, and brought up in Pointe-a- Pierre, at the time I was working as a professional golfer and a builder. I have continued working hard at both professions since I arrived in the UK in 1983.
Q: Do you still have connections in Trinidad?
A:Unfortunately my family have moved from Trinidad. My parents are in Toronto, I have one brother in the UK, another in Australia and a sister in Prague. However I still have friends and many fond memories about the place and I am very excited about my return.
Q: Is this the first time you have been back?
A:Unfortunately I haven’t made it back since 1983. In a way it adds to the excitement and I hope I can make my return a successful one!
Q: Where do you play in the UK and how did you find the move to the UK?
A: I play at Stoneham Golf Club near Southampton on the South Coast. At first I found it extremely wet and cold compared to what I was used to, the South Coast is meant to be the warmest part of the UK.
Q: How is your form leading in to this event?
A: It is sometimes difficult juggling the day job with being a pro golfer but I still practice and take lessons as often as possible to try and improve my game.
(Alan’s partner, Maureen, commented that the putting aids and golf clubs that litter their living room shows how dedicated Alan is, even if it makes housekeeping a nightmare sometimes!)
Q: With Tobago Plantations being a new course you obviously haven’t played it before?
A: No I haven’t but I have heard great things about it, not least from the other professionals who played last year. I have played golf in Tobago before but I am looking forward to this new, and I hear very challenging, course. I hope I get some local support to cheer me on.
Q:Who would you like to be drawn with in the event?
A: Eddie Polland from Ireland and Martin Foster from England are both players that I respect as well as being great characters, I would love to be drawn with either of them.
Q: Junior Golf in Trinidad and Tobago is really taking off, and Stephen Ames has put his name to the Golf Academy at Tobago Plantations, what advice would you give to these aspiring Golfers?
A: I think its important to seek good instructional advice from the start to help technically and eliminate any bad habits early. This is why the Tobago Plantations Academy system is so important. After that it’s a question of a lot of hard work, time and effort spent practising the game. Everyone has room for improvement — even Tiger Woods!