By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
West Indies captain Brian Lara at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
WITH THE Test series history, the West Indies and Australia players who arrived in the island yesterday have shifted their focus to this weekend's opening back-to-back Cable & Wireless one-day international games at Sabina Park.
West Indies captain Brian Lara said his team's historic victory over Australia in the final Test at the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) this week has boosted the team's chances ahead of the one-day series.
"I think it's great for our morale," Lara said. "I think it's also going to be great for West Indies cricket," Lara told reporters on his team's arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport.
"Chasing 418 has never been done in a game before and that in itself is going to give the guys a lot of self-belief," he added. "I think we are going to move on from here, especially in the Test arena. I expect the guys to move on and let this be the benchmark for future successes," said Lara who scored 533 runs in the Test series at an average of 66.62.
"We had two batsmen in when I got out that scored Test hundreds and guys who can go out and do the business so the confidence is there," Lara, who scored two centuries and three half centuries, said.
The double world record holder said he was happy to see some of the young guys in the team come to the fore and help shoulder some of the responsibilities.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting refused to speak to reporters about the world champions chances in the one-day series.
SQUADS
West Indies: Brian Lara (captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan, Omari Banks, David Bernard Jnr., Ricardo Powell, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Corey Collymore, Mervyn Dillon, Vasbert Drakes, Chris Gayle, Ryan Hurley, Carlton Baugh Jnr., Jermaine Lawson, Marlon Samuels and Devon Smith.
Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Michael Bevan, Andy Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Nathan Hauritz, Ian Harvey, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Symonds.
