Lara promises to end slump

BRIDGETOWN: England cricket captain Michael Vaughan called for more of the same winning formula as his squad prepared to chase an historic series victory over the West Indies in the  Third Test starting today. The visitors, without a successful rubber in the Caribbean since 1968, lead the four-match series 2-0. “We’re just going to go out and try to win. We’ll be playing in exactly the same manner, the same spirit that we did in the first two matches,” Vaughan said after his team’s morning practice yesterday at the Test ground. “We’ll be definitely trying to win this match.”

The 29-year-old Vaughan said that there was no complacency following comfortable victories in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. “It’s been a very focused group of players. They’re just doing the job as normal,” Vaughan added. “We have had no talk of 2-0 this week. This is a massive match in Barbados with a huge following and we have to play a good game of cricket.” The Kensington Oval is expected to be teeming with English fans, with their flags and banners. Those visiting supporters are expected to be account for half the ground’s 15,000 capacity. England will field the same 11 who provided the wins in the opening two matches. It is the first time they have enjoyed that luxury since they played unchanged in the three Tests in Pakistan in December 2000, when Vaughan was not part of the set-up.

Again, fast bowler Stephen Harmison will lead England’s attack. The Durham player heads the series bowling with 16 Tickets in two matches, both resulting in “Man of the Match” awards for the lanky 25-year-old. “Harmy has been our strike bowler. He’s been the guy in the two matches where if you needed a wicket, needed a good spell, we’ve thrown the ball to Stephen,” Vaughan said. West Indies skipper Brian Lara, dismissed both times in Trinidad by Harmison, said he is confident he can put his run of low scores behind him to boost his team. “I’ve never found myself in a situation like this, out of form against England, but I have been able to handle it in the past and I have full confidence in myself to get out of it,” the 34-year-old said. “I’ve worked really hard over the last few days to try to get to that state where I can give a good account of myself, especially for the team.”

Lara said that he understands the pressure of expectation. “I’ve been accustomed to it over the years so I know what it’s all about. This series is probably the most important series for West Indies, the most talked about series over the year,” he added. He said his team was ready for the challenge. “I don’t see anybody sulking or looking like if they are in a panicked state. Everybody is looking forward to this Test match,” Lara said. “There is a chance of us levelling the series and that in itself is going to inspire the guys to go out there and give of their best.” He said he hoped that West Indian fans would stick by their team in the face of the English invasion.

“What was disturbing was that when we walked out on the fifth day in Trinidad, there was only English support at the ground. We have to try to make sure that doesn’t happen here again,” Lara said.
Devon Smith’s injured left thumb seemed likely to rule him out, and Daren Ganga stands by to open the batting with Chris Gayle.
Ryan Hinds and Fidel Edwards are also set to return after missing the Second Test in Trinidad. All-rounder Hinds has recovered from an illness and should replace Dwayne Smith in the No 6 position. Fast bowler Edwards has overcome his back problem and will join fellow Barbadians Tino Best, Corey Collymore and Pedro Collins in a four-pronged pace attack. 

West Indies (from): Brian Lara (captain), Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ryan Hinds, Ridley Jacobs, Tino Best, Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore, Fidel Edwards, Dwayne Smith, Daren Ganga, Ricardo Powell.
England: Michael Vaughan (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Mark Butcher, Nasser Hussain, Graham Thorpe, Andrew Flintoff, Chris Read, Ashley Giles, Matthew Hoggard, Simon Jones, Steve Harmison.
Umpires: Darrell Hair (Australia), Rudi Koertzen (South Africa).
Third umpire: Billy Doctrove (Dominica).
ICC Match Referee: Mike Procter (South Africa). (AP)