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Waugh expects lift from Lara
April 5 2003
By Trevor Marshallsea
Georgetown, Guyana





Steve Waugh has admitted to surprise that the West Indies changed their captain ahead of the Test series starting here on Thursday, but is not outwardly entertaining thoughts that the apparent instability will work in Australia's favour.

Brian Lara's reinstatement as captain over Carl Hooper caught many in the cricketing world off guard, despite the fact that Hooper had won only four Tests from 22 in charge.

Waugh, as the most successful captain in Test history, is well placed to assess the impact on the West Indies of the return to the leadership of Lara, who scored six victories in a tumultuous 18-match run as captain that ended with his resignation early in 2000.

But Waugh played it straight in commenting on Lara's reappointment, saying he expected the brilliant left-hander to captain his young side well, and to present as large a challenge as usual with the bat.

But Waugh left room to assume that Hooper would be reminded of his dumping in the mental games that will unfold in the four-Test series. It is expected the 36-year-old will continue to play, despite expressing thoughts of retiring after his sacking earlier this week.


"I was surprised, I must admit," Waugh said of the change, before adding that Lara would make a formidable captain. "He did a pretty good job last time against us. For a series against Australia, he'll lift and no doubt he's a smart captain.

"He's got good ideas about cricket and he knows what he's doing. He's got the experience, so probably when you look at it it's not a huge surprise, but I thought Carl Hooper was doing a fair job, so he'll be disappointed."

Lara's last captaincy stint certainly did not dim his batting prowess, with the Trinidadian averaging 50.13, slightly higher than his overall mark. That period included his staggering deeds to almost single-handedly frustrate Australia to a 2-2 draw in the last series here between these two countries in 1999.

Waugh is expecting more of the same from the 33-year-old this time, saying Lara always lifts his performance against Australia. "His batting was phenomenal last series and I think that carried the side," he said. "He's a quality player and we've got to give him our full attention when we bowl to him."

Waugh said he was also not overly concerned at not having Glenn McGrath to fire at Lara while the paceman remains in Australia with his ill wife, despite the fact McGrath has dismissed Lara twice as many times - 13 - as any other bowler.

"We're not going to focus too much on Brian anyway but we've got quality bowlers and Brett Lee is bowling as well as anyone in the world at the moment," Waugh said.

"Andy Bichel has had a great World Cup. There's plenty of other options so I'm not overly worried about Glenn McGrath not bowling to Brian Lara. It's a chance for someone else to get him out."

Meanwhile, Waugh is not expecting Adam Gilchrist's now famous gesture of walking during Australia's World Cup semi-final against Sri Lanka to start a trend among his side, saying such a decision would be down to individual choice.

New West Indies vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan is in doubt for the first Test because of an injured left middle finger. Local reports said Sarwan would be guided by the advice of his doctor.

[Donny]

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