LARA IS READY FOR ONE DAYERS

ISLAMABAD – West Indies captain Brian Lara has dismissed suggestions Pakistan's triumph in the recent Test series has given them a psychological advantage, heading into the five-match One-Day International series beginning today.

"I don't think anyone has the psychological advantage. Of course Pakistan played well in the Test series and a lot of their players gained form during that period of time and of course they would feel that they have that psychological advantage," Lara told reporters after his team's scheduled final practice session was cancelled because of rain.

"But they are coming up against a team that has played much better in the One-Day arena than the Test arena and I'm sure that they are fully aware of it. I think that our confidence has been dented in the Test arena but I know that they guys are looking forward to the next four to five months of One-Day cricket – that's what's in front of us.

"Our performances are definitely something that we can rely on over the past few months. We played against India earlier on in the year in the Caribbean, won that series and coming out with the best team in the world in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Tournament, winning it two years ago and actually having an opportunity to defend it in the finals [in India this year] shows that we do have a team that is progressing really well in the One-Day game."

West Indies lost the preceding Test series 2-0 after losses in the first Test in Lahore and another in the final Test in Karachi. Despite these performances, Lara said he was still pleased with the way the team managed to make the successful transition to the shorter form of the game.

"[I'm satisfied with the team's performances] in the One-Day arena, most definitely," Lara noted.

"We left the Caribbean on the 6th of September to play in the DLF Cup in Malaysia, the ICC Tournament and now this One-Day series with three Test matches in between and I think getting to both finals [the DLF Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy] against the best team in the world – Australia – was a good effort by us.

"We don't have any silverware to take home, losing both finals, but I think it's still early days, especially with the World Cup coming up and we've got an eye on that. We're looking to make whatever necessary changes and whatever implementation is needed for us to be successful but it's been good so far. The Test series was a bit disappointing but we've got to move on from here."

Rain has been forecast for today's opener in Rawalpindi and officials are bracing for the possibility of interruptions.

Lara stressed, however, that his team would remain focussed.

"We're looking forward to the game, we've got to prepare for the game. I know the weather isn't great but our focus is on the first One-Day International tomorrow [today]," the 37-year old said.

"If it does not take place then we move on from there. It's going to be an interesting series between two teams who are going to open the World Cup in 2007 in Jamaica. It's interesting cricket coming up."

 

:: WINDIESCRICKET.COM