Lara aims at consistency

It's been quite some time since Brian Lara has had the opportunity of looking forward to dominating a team like India.

It8217;s been quite some time since Brian Lara has had the opportunity of looking forward to dominating a team like India.

Across the world, from the Carribean to Malaysia and then in India, the West Indies have kept Rahul Dravid and his team on their toes like nobody else. To state the obvious, they have defeated India in six of the last eight encounters since last year.

The time has come again for the two teams to clash 8212; four one-day matches 8212; before they head for the World Cup and this time, as expected, Lara is busy admitting the fact that his team holds the 8220;psychological edge8221;.

The only concern for Lara and his men in recent times has been that they have travelled across the globe just too many times in the past few months. 8220;It would8217;ve been nice if India were there in West Indies. It would have also given them an opportunity to take a view of the conditions there,8221; he said after arriving here.

But as things stand, and given the fact that the one-day series now begins on Sunday, Lara is looking to get in as much match practice as possible on way to the World Cup. 8220;These will be our last few matches before the World Cup and we hope to ensure more consistency in our game,8221; he said.

India aside, West Indies have also been fierce competitors against Australia through the last year. They have lost two finals Champions Trophy and DLF Tri-Series to Ricky Ponting8217;s men and that is something Lara doesn8217;t want to forget. 8220;We8217;ll be looking at consistency in our next four games,8221; he said.

Until a few days ago, the left-hand batsman said that 8220;the players didn8217;t even know if this series was on. Now, it8217;s good that we are here because it8217;s the last leg in terms of preparations and we8217;re going to ensure that everyone gets an equal opportunity to claim a place in the side for the World Cup.8221;

Story continues below this ad

The West Indies team is here without a few seniors including Ramnaresh Sarwan, Corey Collymore and Darren Sammy. In their place, they now have Dwayne Smith and Rayad Emrit debutant among others. Lara said he was also impressed with the way 8220;guys like Lendl Simmons and Marlon Samuels performed in Pakistan8221; and hopes to check them out more before the World Cup begins. Along with all that, the West Indies are hoping that the Indians remain their bunnies once again and that they return home confident to stake claim to the World Cup.

Yuvraj confident of early comeback

Kolkata: Yuvraj Singh, recuperating from a tear in the left knee, today exuded confidence that he would soon return to the Indian team. 8220;I hope I8217;ll soon be 100 per cent match fit. I am looking forward to return to the Indian team,8221; Yuvraj said on his arrival here to play in a twenty-20 tournament. Yuvraj said he had decided to take part in the tournment organised by the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club to gauge his state of match fitness. 8220;I am looking forward to the event,8221; the left-hander said when asked about the coming World Cup in the West Indies.

Yuvraj, who missed the trip to South Africa due to the injury, has been under the treatment of Indian cricket board8217;s medical consultant Dr Anant Joshi.

Yuvraj sustained the injury on the eve of India8217;s crucial Champions Trophy league match against Australia at Mohali late October while playing kho-kho as the team8217;s warm-up exercise prior to the net session. PTI