Lara: Windies in do-or-die situation

CARDIFF: West Indies captain Brian Lara admitted his side is in danger of failing to reach the final of the NatWest Series after they lost to New Zealand by five wickets at Cardiff. And Lara admitted that the West Indies may need another rethink as a reshuffled batting order could not prevent another defeat. Lara himself opened and made a run-a-ball 58 before the last seven wickets fell for 36 in a collapse at the end of the innings.

“It is a do-or-die situation for us now. The selectors will get together and pick the right combination to ensure we win,” he said. “If that means me opening again or Devon Smith or whoever we just have to fit into the game plan and then we must stick to it.” Lara, who had stated earlier in the series that he thought it was important to have experience in the middle order, said he enjoyed a return to the top of the order. “It is the easiest place to bat in one-day cricket, and I don’t understand why people don’t like doing it,” he added. “You have 50 overs and guys up in the (fielding restriction) circle and you have time to bat normally.”      

Lara explained the switch in the batting order, adding: “First of all we are not playing two genuine openers. (Shivnarine) Chanderpaul is a makeshift opener, and we were not getting exactly what we wanted up front,” he said. The West Indies were 180 for three before being bowled out for just 216. “You would expect in the last 10 to 12 overs to go on from that position —  but it just did not happen,” added a disappointed Lara. “It is hard to explain because the game-plan was going really well up till then.