Lara ... expect major trouble once he gets going. - FILE
NAPIER, New Zealand (CMC):
A FORMER New Zealand wicketkeeper/batsman has warned his former teammates to expect a major innings from West Indies batting superstar Brian Lara in the third and final Test, starting on Friday (Jamaica time).
Adam Parore, the former national vice-captain, believes there is still a very big score in Lara, even though he has failed miserably in the series so far. The 36-year-old Lara has produced scores of five, zero, one and one in four innings in the first two Tests at Auckland and Wellington.
"He is underdone, as simple as that," Parore wrote in a column in the New Zealand Herald newspaper. "Halfway through the third Test, he'll be getting into stride. You have to play some cricket, no matter who you are.
"I don't have that many memories of playing against him, but he has made runs in New Zealand before - it's not as if he has a problem in our conditions." Parore added that Lara may fail like other players, but he doesn't score many 30s or 40s, or even 70s.
"Once he gets a start, you are in major trouble," Parore said. "You certainly don't chip Lara as he leaves after making low score.
"Leave him to his own devices, because you know he's going to get you, big time, in the end. If he puts you to the sword, he will really do some damage.
"He'll make a hundred in this series, I am sure, and if he hasn't by the last innings of the last Test, the New Zealand boys will be walking on egg shells."
LAMBASTED THE WEST INDIES
Parore also lambasted the West Indies for laughing at players who had been injured by bouncers.
He was making reference to Scott Styris' revelation that some members of the West Indies team laughed at him when he was felled by a rip-snorter from visiting tyro Fidel Edwards.
"Though it's really no surprise at all because it's obvious these tourists lack leadership," he said.
"There have been no denials from the West Indians so we can only presume Styris was on the mark, that he has not misinterpreted their actions."
He added: "Even guys like Brett Lee, who play the game pretty tough, never laughed or thought it was funny when a player was hit. He would come over to you, see if you were all right then give you another one - next ball.
"It was done with a bit of dignity and respect by players who didn't delight in hurting an opponent."
Parore reckons that outside of Lara, the rest of the West Indies team are journeymen who are lucky to be there, and should be on their best behaviour.
"I'm not surprised with this team because before Lara arrived, there was no leadership at all," Parore said.
"He has clearly recognised that and made a big effort to instil some pride in the team, being the great player he is.
"But Lara has his work cut out because he is not known as a great and charismatic leader - he's already had the captaincy taken off him.
"The leadership issue is exactly why the West Indies are in the predicament they are. Watching the last Test match, you even felt when they looked home and hosed in the run chase that it could quickly come crashing down, which it did."
New Zealand have an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series, after winning the opening Test at Auckland by 27 runs, and the second Test at Wellington by 10 wickets.
