Lara: Let's End on a High

West Indies captain Brian Lara is calling on his battered troops to pull together and end the 2004 summer campaign on a high.

"We've got a break after this so what we'd like to do is end on a high. It's been a very long summer; we've suffered a lot during the Test series. We got to the One-Day finals but it would be really nice if we could get one step further in this ICC tournament and get to the finals," Lara said on the eve of Wednesday's ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against Pakistan.

I think it's going to be an exciting match ? both teams have played well so far. Pakistan has beaten India and West Indies have beaten South Africa.

At the Rose Bowl, it's known here that the pitch is not going to be that batsman friendly. But I think it's going to be a very evenly contested game. I think both teams have good bowling line ups, and whoever sees it better on the day is going to win.

We haven't played Pakistan for quite some time. They are playing good cricket under Bob Woolmer. I hope that the pressure isn't too great. I know for a fact that the Pakistanis are going to come out and support their team ? we've had great support at the Oval. We are expecting a lot of West Indies down here, and to make it a really even contest. I hope that the guys are up to it. But as I said the One-Day form is good.

On the West Indies' improved ODI form...

We've got a break after this so what we'd like to do is end on a high. It's been a very long summer; we've suffered a lot during the Test series. We got to the One-Day finals but it would be really nice if we could get one step further in this ICC tournament and get to the finals. We've got Pakistan tomorrow and it's going to be a tough proposition, but if we can properly prepare ourselves we can come out on top.

We are playing better One-Day cricket than Test cricket, and the guys seem to be performing really well.

Our last three games against Australia last year we won. We've beaten England. We haven't beaten New Zealand this year - the two games we played against them in England we lost. But I think the One-Day form is much better.

We were expecting a struggling South African team. They had a tough time in New Zealand and Sri Lanka. This is another opportunity for us to go further. If we can get our act together in all facets of the game tomorrow, we can come out on top.

On the difference between Test and One-Day form...

First of all you need to show a lot more character in the Test arena, be tested more. The situation is over 5 days and you have to come up with the goods day in and day out for 15 sessions. One-Day cricket is 100 overs in a day and we have guys who are very flamboyant players; they like to get on with things and you find them getting more success in the One-Day game.

On his confidence in the young West Indies team...

I gave great confidence. Our One-Day form has been good. Guys have fallen into the gaps in the team very well. Guys like (Dwayne) Bravo ? he's just started his international career this year, and he's a very integral part of the team. Having Wavell Hinds and Courtney Browne, these experienced guys, it gives us a good mixture; some experience, some youth and balance within the squad. It's a growing team. It's nice to have the young guys getting the experience now.

Having Mervyn (Dillon), (Corey) Collymore back, Wavell Hinds as well who's been out through injury, it gives the team a lot more experience and a lot more leaders within the squad, so that's really good for us.

On the maturity and discipline shown from the last match (against South Africa)...

I'm really impressed, especially with the extras: no no-balls in two matches. I think we had about six extras at the Oval - it helps a lot.

To come back and fight with the ball in the field, restricting them (South Africa) was a very, very good effort and I think that's where we won the game.

* Quotes provided by the International Cricket Council (ICC).