By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Man of the Match and Man of the Series Ramnaresh Sarwan (in foreground) is doused with water by teammate Chris Gayle (third left) during the presentation ceremony following the regional team's victory over Bangladesh in the second Test at Sabina Park yesterday. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
WEST INDIES captain, Brian Lara, praised his team's for their winning performance yesterday in the second and final Test match against Bangladesh at Sabina Park.
"The guys played good cricket coming out of St. Lucia which was pretty disappointing, even though the pitch was flat," Lara explained. "We batted very, very well, Sarwan (Ramnaresh) played a brilliant innings, along with Chanderpaul."
Speaking at a post-match press conference after West Indies' innings and 99-run win against lowly rated Bangladesh, Lara said they (Bangladesh) played good team cricket and their first win will come very soon.
SURPRISED
The West Indies captain went on to say he was surprised Bangladesh capsized so quickly, especially after the way they were playing at the start of yesterday's final day.
"These things happen and it is something we can learn from," he said.
A day before the start of the Sabina Park Test, Lara made it clear that he would have stepped down as captain if the West Indies failed to win in five full days of cricket.
He said that mandate "motivated the team" and following yesterday's victory, he is now looking forward to England.
He continued by saying that "... playing in English conditions will always be a challenge. But we are going try to use the One-day tournament (in England) as something to prepare ourselves."
He added: "In a lot of series in the past, we have played Test cricket first, but all of a sudden we find ourselves getting accustomed to the opposition when it's a bit too late."
West Indies are scheduled to spend over two months in England. They will open their tour with a One-day match against Ireland at Belfast on June 16 and end with the fourth and final Test against England at The Oval on August 23.
