Lara’s batting position down for review
..big game for West Indies-Moody
By Isaiah Chappelle
Guyana Chronicle
April 1, 2007
WEST Indies captain Brian Lara’s batting position was down for review as the team crafted a strategy for today’s crucial Cricket World Cup Super Eight match against Sri Lanka at the Providence stadium.
Lara made the disclosure, yesterday, in a pre-match media conference at the stadium, responding to a question about his batting at number five in the order, contrary to the norm that the best batsman goes in at number three, especially when the team was in trouble.
“That will be under review and discussion after the practice session.”
The captain acknowledged that the team had not passed 250 runs, even when an extra batsman was used in the last match against Australia in which they scored their lowest total.
Lara said these and other situations were discussed at “a couple” of meetings, which he described as “good”.
“There was a lot of food for thought.”
He said that the West Indies was not playing smart cricket, as against not being aggressive.
The captain contended that the team’s bowling and fielding were still 90 percent good.
“I feel it’s our batting. We did not go out and really dominate.”
Lara pointed out that the team had won three of five encounters, but declared that they could not afford to lose anymore.
He was optimistic about his chances against the Sri Lanka side, pointing out that their bowling performance was good towards the end against South Africa, but their batting was not so good.
He said that every CWC match was important and he said the players were still upbeat and eager to go out and win because while people might not be in the stadia, they were at home watching.
Lara contended that all pitches in the Caribbean had a certain characteristic and the one at the Providence stadium looked like Bourda’s.
He said that pitches tend to be better as the day progresses and there was something in the first ten overs.
Asked about the seemingly erratic way in which Dwayne Smith was being used in the team, the captain said the bowler needed a pitch that had something for the bowlers, while pointing out that it was difficult to get seven bowlers in.
He, also, related that Lendl Simmons was not used higher in the order because at the stage of the game, players with more experience were needed.
Asked about his public spat with selector Andy Roberts, Lara said he was caught by surprise at a press conference.
“It’s something I need to apologise for.”
The captain refused to get into the row about the price of tickets, saying he did not have an opinion when pressed on the matter.
Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody said the encounter was going to be a big game for the West Indies coming off two losses.
“It is a crunch game for the West Indies. It is also a big game for us going for two points.”
He said the Windies looked a very good side and their 2004 winning of the Champions Trophy, showed they could win a competition and the only advantage Sri Lanka had was psychological.
“When they are under pressure, that’s when they come out and strike.”
The coach, however, said the team knew where the Windies were vulnerable and they would concentrate on those weak areas.
He said he was looking for a better performance at the top end.
Moody noted that there would be a rally of support for the West Indies, but pointed out the crowd could not go out on the field and score runs.
Asked about his use of record holder Lasith Malinga, Moody replied: “A bowler like Malinga you let him go. He is a match-winner.”
He related that the bowler comes out of playing tennis ball cricket that accounted for his low bowling action.