Lara's boys capable of surprising rivals

There is always a buzz in the Islands when the Indian cricket team comes touring.

While the hosts are busy using the series as a dry run for the World Cup, West Indian cricket continues to spring one surprise after the other. The latest one has been the choice of Brian Lara as captain.

Clearly it is a decision prompted by commercial considerations, keeping in mind the World Cup. It's also a decision that might last only till that tournament, and chances are that Lara's appointment was not a very popular decision among the players.

However, this short-term appointment was necessary because some of the other players in contention were not yet mature or responsible enough for the position of captain.

The one thing that the West Indian fans can cheer about is the improvement in the team. Players like Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan have joined forces with Lara to lend muscle to the batting.

The bowling is also looking good, with Fidel Edwards holding out a promise of pace.

He looks more in control now than he did 12 months ago, and if he lands it in the zone of uncertainty a little more often, he will certainly trouble some of the Indian batsmen.

There are also players like Dwayne Bravo and Ramdin who give the team some options lower down the order. All told it is a fighting one-day unit, and Indians might find the opposition quite challenging.

The 5-0 scoreline against Zimbabwe was expected, but the convincing nature of the wins means that the team has some momentum with them before taking on India.

As far as the Indians are concerned, it's quite a young team, but it is a team that has been very successful in the subcontinent of late. The Indians would rate this as their best chance to beat the West Indians in the West Indies in Tests.

However, they will not find it easy because this West Indian team has the ability to cause a few surprises if luck goes their way.

- Gameplan