da esoccer bet： Brian Lara said that his team were comfortable with the tags of defendingchampions in the Champions Trophy, and that there was no negativityassociated with this
Anand Vasu in Mumbai13-Oct-2006
‘We’ve beaten the best in the world in this tournament two years ago and we’recapable of doing it again’ – Lara © Getty Images
Brian Lara said that his team were comfortable with the tags of defendingchampions in the Champions Trophy, and that there was no negativityassociated with this. “We’re building up the momentum. The guys are awarethat we are defending champions and that puts some pressure on us, butthat’s good pressure,” he said at a pre-match press conference in Mumbai.”We understand that and are looking to hold on to the trophy again. We’vebeaten the best in the world in this tournament two years ago and we’recapable of doing it again.”What’s helped Lara tremendously is the form of Chris Gayle, who has beenMan of the Match in the first two games West Indies has played. “Chris hasalways had a great influence,” explained Lara. “He’s a key member of ourteam the way he bats, bowls and fields. It’s very important that he hits hisstraps, especially batting at the top of the order. It’s very importantfor us that he or [Shivnarine] Chanderpaul carries on. One of the top four have to batthe full fifty overs, and Chris has done that for us on occasion.”He also singled out Ian Bradshaw, that tireless left-arm seamer and heroof the win at The Oval in the last edition of the Champions Trophy.”Bradshaw has been great. I think the rankings show that he’s in the topfive and has been our most consistent bowler,” said Lara. “It’s not justas a bowler, his knowledge of the game – he’s played for Barbados for longand has captained the youth team. We know that he’s a key player and arehoping to get us much out of him as possible. He’s been a late bloomer,coming into the team a couple of years ago, but he’s grabbed hold of thechance really well.”The arrival of Clive Lloyd, who joined the team in Jaipur in an advisorycapacity, has also bolstered this West Indian team. Lara did not hold backwhen talking of the value Lloyd brought to the set-up. “What we have goton board is simply one of our most successful captains, someone who heldthe 1975 and 1979 World Cup trophies. He’s now part of our cricketcommittee,” said Lara. “He’s capable of sharing his knowledge on issuesand he’s been tremendous, speaking to the players, and in team meetings.He makes very key points. Personally, he is someone I can lean on, as aformer captain who has had a lot of success. He has great respect with theguys, and worldwide, and that’s something we need.”