We have to step up – Lara

Since their triumphant day at The Oval in 2004, the West Indies have endured an inconsistent period of performance in the one-day game, and as a result are required to play in the qualifying rounds to even make the main draw of the Champions Trophy in their attempt to defend their title.

Two years ago they caused a substantial upset when Ian Bradshaw and Courtney Browne put on a massive partnership at the bottom of the order to beat the home team and take the title, but that glorious day looks in the distant past as they build towards their title defence.

Captain Brian Lara says that his team have only themselves to blame for finding themselves in the qualifying round against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, of whom they have to beat two to qualify for the main draw. In order to get anywhere near repeating the glory of two years ago, Lara believes his team need to take a considerable step up on their recent performances.

Having said that, he is happy with the recent DLF Cup in Malaysia. In what was for much of the team the first competitive cricket they had played for some time, West Indies reached the final of the triangular tournament against Australia and India, and played some excellent cricket in the process including a victory over subsequent tournament winners Australia in the early stages.

Consistency has been the problem for the team though, and Lara believes it is crucial that they step up in this tournament and take as many positives from it as they can ahead of next year’s World Cup, in which they have to put up with the pressure and expectation that comes from hosting the tournament.