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Interview with
Brian Lara
We fear England but can win the World Cup -
Lara
Online exclusive by Nick Harper
March 9, 2007
West Indies captain Brian Lara has high hopes of captaining his side to glory at
this year's World Cup in the Caribbean, but he knows it's going to be no easy
task
What chance do West Indies have of lifting the World Cup?
I'm quietly confident we can win it, and I think the players are confident of
their ability to perform at such a huge event.
Is it an advantage or a disadvantage that you're the home side?
We know that the host nations haven't had a great record when it comes to
winning, but we know the whole West Indian experience is very unique and we're
going to play on the fact that we're accustomed to it. Let's just say I'm
confident that we are going to have a very good World Cup.
There's no question the squad has talent - Gayle, Chanderpaul, Bravo - but
you've struggled recently to get everyone performing at once?
That's true, but what we have to do is create a greater number of
matchwinners and spread the responsibility. Over the years, we have depended on
three or four individuals, but we need to develop a larger group of players who
can pull us through to a World Cup win, because the team that wins is going to
be a team of players who can get them out of trouble if they lose their core
performers. Australia have matchwinners throughout their line-up - any team that
wants to compete with Australia will have to have that strength in depth.
You've already said that you'll retire from one-day internationals after the
World Cup, but might you be tempted to bow out altogether?
No, no, definitely not. I'm only 37 - a lot of players stretch their careers
into their 40s, and I just think there's a lot of work to do to get West Indies
cricket back on track. I think Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath had the luxury of
bowing out at the top of their game, but also of leaving a team that was the
best in the world. That's an ideal situation, though, and unfortunately it's not
the same with me. Now is not the time to talk about details such as the
infrastructure of the game and funding - that will come later - but all I can do
is play my part on the field.
What about Australia? Despite their recent poor run, is it fair to say that
the World Cup is still theirs to lose?
No, I don't agree. They are favourites, and understandably so, but in the
one-day game that doesn't guarantee anything. They're not invincible, as we saw
with England in the recent triangular series. I don't think they're guaranteed
to get any further than the semi-finals, which is still two big, big matches
away from winning the final.
Speaking of England, do they have a chance?
"Yeah, most definitely. The fact they took something away from the
Australian tour, even if it wasn't the Ashes themselves... well, it augurs well
for the World Cup. They beat Australia in Australia, so they'll go into the
World Cup with huge confidence. If Kevin Pietersen can return and Michael
Vaughan is back and fully fit, England are capable of competing with and beating
the very best in the world. You'd be stupid to ever write them off."
Do you fear them?
Absolutely, yes. They have players in their team capable of dismantling any
team in the world: Pietersen, Flintoff, Panesar. You just can't write them off.
For the full interview with Lara, London-based UK readers can pick up a copy of
Sport, the new weekly sport and lifestyle magazine, which is published every
Friday
©
Cricinfo
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