Lara warns confident WI

KINGSTON: Skipper Brian Lara believes the West Indies’ renewed confidence from this week’s historic Test cricket win over Australia will last well into the limited-overs series starting today. But Lara warned his players against becoming too sure of themselves entering a seven-match tournament against the recrowned World Cup champions.

“The mood is very upbeat. I think the guys realise we played a very good Test match in Antigua,” Lara said yesterday. “That in itself is going to give the team and the members a lot of self belief.” But some of the excitement “we even have to curb because the guys are really hyped-up,” he added. The West Indies have been celebrating since they overhauled Australia on Tuesday with a world record Test score batting last. Australia, however, took the Test series 3-1 for the Frank Worrell Trophy.

“We have to concentrate, and we have to understand we’re playing against the best team in the world and we have to put our best foot forward,” Lara said. “It’s an opportunity for us to show our progression through the last two, three months.” Australia won the World Cup unbeaten in February and March at South Africa, and extended their record winning streak to 17 matches. The West Indies failed to pass the first round.

West Indies allrounder Omari Banks should make his debut today alongside wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh and opening bat Devon Smith. All three newcomers started their international careers in the Test series. Australia, too, have welcomed the arrival of one-day specialists Michael Bevan, Andrew Symonds, Ian Harvey and Nathan Hauritz. Symonds, a star at the World Cup, and Bevan, one of the leading batsmen in the shorter form of the game, are certain to start. Captain Ricky Ponting, man of the match for his century in the World Cup final against India, has recovered from a virus which kept him out of the Fourth Test.

Squads:
WEST INDIES: Brian Lara (captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan (vice-captain), Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Marlon Samuels, Ricardo Powell, Ryan Hurley, Carlton Baugh, Omari Banks, Vasbert Drakes, Mervyn Dillon, Corey Collymore, Jermaine Lawson, David Bernard.
AUSTRALIA: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist (vice-captain), Matthew Hayden, Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher, Michael Bevan, Andrew Symonds, Ian Harvey, Michael Clarke, Brad Hogg, Andy Bichel, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath, Nathan Nauritz.