‘We’re heading in the right direction’

The West Indies batsmen must look for innings totals of 250 and above to be successful in this month’s triangular one-day series with A...

The West Indies batsmen must look for innings totals of 250 and above to be successful in this month’s triangular one-day series with Australia and Pakistan, skipper Brian Lara said today.

‘‘We worked really hard in our camp in Barbados in December but I don’t think it’s enough,’’ Lara said. ‘‘I’ve still seen a lot of loopholes in our fielding and our bowling — it’s not the ICC tournament, it’s not September in England where conditions favour our fast bowlers. We’ve got to understand that it’s going to be 250-plus the majority of the time and our batters have got to understand that we’ve got to get those totals. If you’re batting first or if you’re chasing you’ve got to overcome that.’’

The West Indies look set to rely on a long batting line-up for the triangular one-day series, starting against Australia in Melbourne on January 14. ‘‘This is Australia and it’s nice to have the long batting order but you don’t want to be chasing 300 plus, you’ve got to have the bowlers who are capable of limiting the opposition,’’ said Lara. ‘‘So it’s going to be tough between sacrificing a bat and playing the extra bowler or lengthening the batting.’’

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Lara also had good things to say about the new background help: “We’ve got a new coaching staff, new ideas and a new work ethic and I think we’re heading in the right direction. We’re taking a more professional approach and I’ve just got to wish (new coach) Bennett King and his camp all the best.”

Windies lose by 51 runs

The West Indies lost its last six wickets for 18 runs today and slumped to a 51-run loss in the return limited-overs cricket match against Australia A at the Bellerive Oval. Chasing 244 to win, the tourists were coasting at 158 for three before Cameron White took a diving catch to remove Ramnaresh Sarwan (35) and trigger the lower order collapse. — AP

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