CASTRIES, (AP):
WEST INDIES captain Brian Lara returns to Test cricket today for the first time since his record-breaking 400 not out against England last month. The 35-year-old said yesterday he is wary of an emerging Bangladesh team in the opening match of the two-Test series.
"It doesn't boil down to what one or two individuals can do," he said after the team's final net session at St. Lucia's Beausejour Stadium. "I've seen a lot of good teams beat a lot of good individuals."
Lara missed the preceding series of three one-day internationals against the Bangladeshis due to a lingering injury to his right pinky finger.
But the Trinidadian said he was well prepared to make his first Test appearance against the country ranked bottom of the 10 nations in the ICC Championship table.
Lara missed the inaugural Test series against Bangladesh in December 2002 because of illness. The West Indies swept that rubber 2-0 under the leadership of Ridley Jacobs, the experienced wicketkeeper/batsman.
The West Indies are again expected to use pace as their trump card this time against the inexperienced Bangladesh batsmen.
Fidel Edwards and Tino Best are the two quickest in the attack while left-arm Pedro Collins, with 66 wickets in 22 Tests, is the most experienced.
Jermaine Lawson, on return after rehabilitation from a suspect bowling action and a severe back injury, battles with Ravi Rampaul for the final fast bowling spot.
The 22-year-old Lawson starred in the previous series, taking a memorable six wickets for three runs in the team's inaugural test.
Left-arm wrist spinner Dave Mohammed is likely to miss out for the home team, who swept the preceding one-day series 3-0.
Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore said he was disappointed after coming away empty-handed in those limited overs matches.
"I was very, very disappointed and not to show enough aggression in that third and final rain-shortened game was even a bigger blow for me personally," Whatmore said after his team's final training session.
Bangladesh will look to two left-arm spinners to battle the West Indies batting, led by Lara, in the longer version of the game.
Mohammad Rafique has an impressive record of 42 wickets in his 10 Tests while Manzarul Islam Rana should be rewarded for his impressive showing in the one-dayers.
Tareq Aziz is handed a debut to partner the enthusiastic Tapash Baishya with the new ball.
Captain Habibul Bashar leads the batting from No. 3. Openers Hannan Sarkar and Javed Omar and the young middle order of Mohammad Ashraful and Rajin Saleh lend support.
Mushfiqur Rahman fills the all-rounder spot while long-serving former skipper Khaled Mashud is the wicket-keeper.
West Indies (from): Brian Lara (captain), Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dwayne Smith, Ridley Jacobs, Tino Best, Pedro Collins, Fidel Edwards, Jermaine Lawson, Ravi Rampaul, Dave Mohammed.
Bangladesh (from): Habibul Bashar (captain), Hannan Sarkar, Javed Omar, Rajin Saleh, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahman, Khaled Mashud, Manzarul Islam Rana, Mohammad Rafique, Tareq Aziz, Tapash Baishya, Foysal Hossain.
