Lara: We Are Well Positioned In ODIs
Lara: We Are Well Positioned In ODIs
FAISALABAD, Pakistan - West Indies captain Brian Lara spoke with the media ahead of the second One Day International in Faisalabad. Following are excerpts from his responses:
On the second ODI which is the effective start of the series after the first ODI in Islamabad was abandoned:
I think we are very well positioned in the One Day game and I think the time in Islamabad was good, they guys were in their rooms. We've been on the road for a pretty long time si we now have to focus.
The weather looks good in Faisalabad and we have to focus on the four remaining games. I think that that little break away from the game (during the abandoned ODI in Islamabad) has done us a lot of good.
On having confidence after performing well in Malaysia and India:
I think we preformed really well not just the Champions Trophy (in India) but we've been playing good cricket in 2006, even going back to the ICC Tournament 2004 where we were the champions then and we actually had an opportunity to defend it in 2006 so our One Day game is not looking too bad.
Our only worry at this time is that we are pretty close to the World Cup and Ramnaresh Sarwan and Dwayne Bravo are not here with us -- players who we depend a lot on in the One Day arena but it's an opportunity for younger players, it's an opportunity for players who have been on the periphery of the team to stake a claim for permanent positions.
On the loss of Ramnaresh Sarwan and Dwayne Bravo:
They are major players in our One Day game. Ramnaresh Sarwan is a match winner with the bat, Dwayne Bravo is one of our best all rounders and has done great service over the last couple of years. They are going to be missed but it’s an opportunity. The younger players have to take the opportunity to go out there and perform.
On the advantages of playing games in Pakistan and India prior to the World Cup:
The conditions aren't too different, the pitches are normally very good batting tracks in the Caribbean for One Day games and it’s similar here in the sub-continent so we see it as a benefit.
To be playing against Pakistan, then India, teams that are higher ranked than us is good for our cricket. Having success against them is going to give us that psychological advantage.