Lara: WI ready for ‘do-or-die’ games

ADELAIDE, Australia:  West Indies captain Brian Lara says his team is ready to face Pakistan in what he has described as “do-or-die” matches in the VB Triangular Limited Overs Series. The regional side opposed Pakistan last night in Adelaide and will do so again in Perth next Tuesday, and must win both matches in order to secure a berth in the final against world champions Australia. “We’re looking forward to the two games, it’s a do-or-die situation, we have to win both,” Lara said. “I’m sure that the guys are going to be up to it.”

Despite having already lost to Pakistan in the competition, Lara believes his side carried the edge going into the game as they held wicket-taking bowlers. “I think we’re bowling better, we’ve got wicket-takers,” Lara said. “On a couple of occasions in the three matches we’ve played against Australia, we had them four wickets down for little runs. “But I think overall both teams will have to improve to beat Australia. “The West Indies, who are yet to win in a match in the competition, put Australia under early pressure on the two last occasions the teams played each other.”

On the first occasion, the West Indies had reduced Australia to 43 for five before rain caused the game to be abandoned and on Tuesday, they let the world champions off the hook after having them against the ropes at 196 for eight. However, Pakistan’s captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is also confident of qualifying for the finals. “If we are through to the finals, we need some victories because the last couple of months . . . we are not playing good cricket,” Inzamam said. “If we win, then winning is, I think, a habit and we will continue this. It is very important for us to win.”