Tony BeccaTHE West Indies/Australia Test series which gets underway on November 23 in Brisbane promises to be a one-horse race. The Aussies are overwhelming favourites to dominate the five-match contest.
There are West Indians, however, who believe that with a little luck the Windies can pull off a surprise and apart from the supreme optimists, apart from captain James Adams and manager Ricky Skerritt, numbered among them is top batsman Brian Lara.
According to the holder of the world record individual score, it could all depend on him.
"I know this is a very important tour and I've got to play a big part in it. I'm only one of 16 players here but I know that if I perform well the guys are going to rally. They expect big things from me, and if the others can chip in at various times, along with Courtney (Walsh) spearheading the attack, I think we are going to have a good team performance. I have got 15 guys relying not only my performance but also my experience and how I can help them mentally."
The consensus has always been that the Windies fortunes will depend on Lara and Walsh, although the bowling is hardly likely to scare the daylights out of Australia's batsmen, the big fear is the team's batting, and it is great to hear Lara has accepted the responsibility and is ready to lead the way.
Lara alone, even if he is at his brilliant best, cannot beat Australia, but he is right: at his best, he could make the difference between a good performance and a disappointing one.
If Lara can dominate an attack that will be without legspinner Shane Warne but one that includes fast bowlers Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie, not only will he destroy their rhythm but he will also inspire the other batsmen, they will chip in and the Windies will score enough runs - if not to win, at least to be competitive.
And that, apparently, will satisfy coach Roger Harper who, in acknowledging Australia's strength, has said he would not be disappointed if the West Indies failed to win a Test match during the series providing they play well.
On this tour what we hope to achieve is seeing the guys playing close to their optimum but more consistently," said the former Windies offspinner. "Given a year and keeping them together, we'll see them blossoming and becoming a much better and more forceful unit. If we do that, we'll be very competitive."
Can Lara really set the pace? He has done it before, if he is physically fit and determined as he appears to be, he can do it again, and this is the time to do it again.
Despite his world record Test score of 375, despite his world first-class record of 501 not out and despite a number of great innings - including his 277 run out at Sydney in 1992-93 and his 213 at Sabina Park in 1999, there are those who do not rate Lara as a great batsman.
Lara has said, time and time again, however, his ambition is to be remembered as the greatest batsman of all time and the coming series is a glorious opportunity to at least join the queue of contenders.
Such is the strength of Australia, and so dependent is the West Indies team on his performance that if Lara ticks off a few centuries "Down Under" no one would dare question his greatness.
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