Former West Indian skipper, Brian Lara believes that his team can be the ‘surprise element’ at the 2019 ICC World Cup.
Recently at a promotional event in Mumbai, the 49-year old said, “Look at the Indian Premier League, look at the leagues around the world, we have the players that are most wanted around in the world,” as reported by Times of India.
The legendary southpaw further added, “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.”
Lara was the captain of the Windies side in the 1999 and 2007 World Cup, but could never get them through to the semis.
“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,” said Lara.
“West Indies, over the last two T20 World Cups, have been the surprise element. They’ve always been up there in the opposing team’s mind. There have been too many elements joining the dots, gradually it’s happening. So, I don’t think any country walks into the game against West Indies anymore thinking it’s over before it starts,” he said, according to a report in CricTracker.
Lara also credited T-20 leagues such as IPL for having created a platform for young and aspiring cricket lovers in the Caribbean to take up the sport.
"We had a tremendous series against England. We are laying the foundation, the confidence is there," Lara said.
He further added, “India may have to worry when they come there in July to play against the West Indies because they have a team now that understand he conditions, spirits are high, let's see what we can do against India,”
“Four months ago in October-November we were terrible. So I am happy with that little progress that we have made in our cricket.” Lara concluded.
The Caribbean cricketers have been at the centre of all the action in IPL 2019. Be it Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard or fresh new talents such as Alzzari Joseph.
West Indies begin their World Cup campaign on 31 May against Pakistan at Trent Bridge.
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