Lara warns of burnout

Having assessed a difficult schedule in the coming months, West Indies captain Brian Lara has warned his players to be ?focused mentally and physically?.

Though citing the likelihood of burnout and injuries during the rigorous 18-month period of cricket ahead, Lara stated the importance of the exposure that the West Indies team will be getting over its course. The double world-record holder noted that it is an essential period in the rebuilding of West Indies cricket. ?It’s necessary for us to play and wind our way back to the top,? he said.

The first challenge ahead of the West Indies is the DLF Cup in Malaysia, where they will face India and Australia. The tournament will be followed by the Champions Trophy in India next month, where the West Indies seek to defend their title.

Three Tests and five one-day internationals will then be contested in Pakistan, and the West Indies return to India early next year to play five one-day internationals, ahead of the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean. The World Cup gives way to tours of England, Zimbabwe and South Africa, with a Twenty20 tournament in between. There will then be visits from Sri Lanka and Austalia in the first half of 2008.

?Burn-out will always be a factor and there will always be a concern. I hope, however, that the guys don’t miss the most important parts of the two-year period,? said Lara.

However, he affirmed the need to play cricket if the West Indies are to elevate themselves from the tail of the sport. The West Indies play Australia to start the DLF Cup on September 12.