Windies have match-winners but they need consistency, feels Brian Lara

The Windies qualified for the ICC World Cup starting in England on May 30 – the first time ever. However, their spirited show against England in the recent home series shows that they could be a force on their day and are capable of scripting upsets. The two-time champions (1975 & 1979) haven’t made the semi-finals of the WC since 1996 and will be looking to make the most of the opportunity they have got by qualifying for the tournament. The Caribbeans will be taking on Pakistan in their first game 0f the tournament at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on May 31.

Former Windies captain Brian Lara also feels that the Caribbean side is replete with match-winners but they need to be more consistent if they aspire to make an impact in the World Cup this year. Lara, who led the Windies in two World Cups (1999 & 2007), cited the fact that players from the island nation are the most sought after in T20 tournaments across the world but also felt that the former champions more needed a team that can create consistency.

While West Indian Andre Russell is a sensation in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League, other Caribbeans like Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard and others also steal the headlines on their given day. The Windies did well in their recent home series against England, winning the Test series 2-1 and drawing the ODI series 2-2 against a team which is ranked much higher than them.

“Look at the Indian Premier League, look at the leagues around the world, we have got players that are the most wanted in the world,” India Today cited reports as quoting Lara, 49, at a promotional event in Mumbai last week.

“We have got match-winners, but we are going to need a little more than match-winners in English conditions to win the World Cup. We need a team that can create consistency.”

WI can knock out any team, feels Lara

“If we can get to the knock-out stages, we can knock out any team. We have seen that in the past. But consistency is going to take us right through to the finals.”

Lara also gave credit to franchise leagues like the IPL for generating interests among the youngsters in the West Indies and giving young talents a platform to showcase their skills. The Windies failed to fulfill a hat-trick of title when they lost the final of the 1983 WC to Kapil Dev’s India. In 1996, they came the closest to making the final again but suffered an incredible five-run loss to Australia.

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