Why different yardstick for Lara?

WI won the One Day Series 4-1, yet suffered a reversal in the Test Series 0-1, a result which meant that India, irrespective of current world ranking, was only able to record a series victory outside of the subcontinent for the first time in 20 years. This was also achieved with a very inexperienced team.

Considering this, why then was former captain Carl Hooper replaced? Prior to his replacement, Hooper led WI to a 2-1 Test victory against the Indians at home, and then later defeated India away in the one day series 4-3, without the services of Lara.

One may also acknowledge the victory against India in the tri-nation One Day Tournament in Zimbabwe, again without Lara. In his last series as captain, WI exited the World Cup of Cricket because of lost points against Bangladesh due to rain. Did he deserve the axe?

In considering other captains, were we, the entire cricket fraternity, justified in our criticisms? Did Richie Richardson deserve his fate having only ever lost one Test series as player and captain? What about Courtney Walsh, who also had a good captaincy record? What were the extenuating circumstances that led to their dismissals?

Through the constant changing of captains, have we created a crisis in leadership when there was none?

Brian Lara can count himself lucky to be leading WI for an unprecedented third time, especially as there are others in the team who have had prior success and experience leading their regional sides. It is damning that we contend there is no one else to lead the WI team.