Lara apologises for remarks on WICB

Port of Spain (Trinidad): Temperamental batting genius Brian Lara has made a grand climb-down, apologising to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for his public outburst following the Test series loss to India last month.

Lara, who made scathing remarks about team selection and pitch conditions at the end of the series-deciding fourth Test at Kingston, Jamaica, admitted he might have over-reacted to the situation.

"I recognise that I broke the confidence placed in me as West Indies captain by my overreaction during and after the fourth Test against India and I apologise to all concerned," Lara wrote in a letter to WICB President Ken Gordon, The Nation reported on Thursday.

"I would also like to thank my team mates for the progress we have made as a team over the last few months and I hope my unfortunate actions will not in any way deter our

march towards further success."

The fourth Test victory gave India its first series win in the Caribbean in 35 years.

Lara, appointed captain for third time, said after the loss that he might reconsider leading the team again.

The world record holder for Test cricket's highest individual score said the selectors consistently ignored his request for inclusion of an express fast bowler and the pitches in the series were more suited to India's strengths.

In the wake of Lara's criticism, convener of selectors Joey Carew resigned immediately before the WICB moved in to control the damage.

A committee comprising the WICB president, Sir Alister McIntyre, Clive Lloyd and Gregory Shillingford was appointed to investigate the issue.

Subsequently, Gordon wrote to Lara explaining the harm his statements has made to West Indies cricket.

"Let me admit that I empathised with the rationale that you outlined during our conversation in support of additional pace against the Indians and the passion of your conviction that the series could have been won by three games to one," Gordon wrote, The Nation said.

"We need both conviction and passion to continue to build on what has been achieved.

"But we also need to send a signal that a new start is being made. That we will resolve our differences internally and present a unified front to the cricketing world and that

West Indies cricket is on the way up again.

"Your statement did not contribute to sending that message and that was unfortunate."