Lara disappointed with loss to Irish amateurs

Brian Lara pronounced himself “very disappointed” with his West Indies team following their six-wicket defeat by Ireland in Belfast on Thursday. The home side reached 296 for four with more than three overs to spare to repeat a famous win over the 1969 West Indies. “We always respected them but they deserve full credit because they won the match the hard way,” said Lara, who made only one in his side’s 292 for seven. “But we won’t be dwelling on this and we’re looking forward to a good tour.” The tourists now cross to England to take part in the one-day NatWest Series, and will try to get the Irish result out of their system in warm-up matches against Sussex today, Kent and Middlesex.

Ireland, meanwhile, were understandably elated by the result, which came only 24 hours after West Indies had beaten them by 96 runs in the first match of their double-header. “I knew we could beat them and I’m delighted we’ve proved to a wider audience what Irish cricket is capable of achieving,” said coach Adrian Birrell. “Forget 1969, this is the match we will all be talking about now,” was Ireland Cricket Union chief  Peter Thompson’s verdict. “It’s a great day for Irish cricket and I’m sure there will be many more to come,” he added. Ireland will play in the European Championships in Holland in August and next year host the ICC Trophy, which carries qualifying places for the 2007 World Cup. If they are successful, they could face West Indies again as the World Cup will be staged in the Caribbean.