NEW DELHI, India (CMC):

THE WEST Indies are set to benefit from the experience of Clive Lloyd as they prepare to mount the defence of their International Cricket Council's Champions Trophy title, starting on Sunday.

A release from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) yesterday said Lloyd, chairman of the cricket committee, had been invited to join the team after consultation with coach Bennett King and captain Brian Lara. "He has agreed to make himself accessible to the captain, coach and manager (Tony Howard) to assist in any way which will build morale, strengthen the team's performance and encourage a stronger culture of professionalism and discipline," the release stated.

WICB president Ken Gordon added: "Clive will be in India essentially to support Tony Howard and the team management. It is something we've done before, and we know that Clive's vast experience in leading victorious West Indian teams in the past would be an additional asset to the touring team.

"In his words 'the ingredients are there, and I welcome the opportunity to assist the management team in any way that would be helpful'."

Lloyd is regarded as one the West Indies most successful captains and was at the helm when they won the 1975 and 1979 Cricket World Cups.

Highly respected match referee

A former West Indies manager and a highly respected ICC match referee, Lloyd has remained close to the game since retiring in 1985 and this year, accepted the post of WICB cricket committee chairman. In addition to working with the team while in India, the 62-year-old will also "explore opportunities for additional games next year."

The West Indies will clash with Zimbabwe in their opening fixture on Sunday in Ahmedabad, as they vie for a spot in the main draw of the Champions Trophy. Despite the label of title-holders, West Indies will have to contest a four-team, pre-qualifying tournament with Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, with the top two teams advancing to the main draw to join the six automatic qualifiers.

The West Indies won the last Champions Trophy in 2004 when they beat England at the Oval in England by two wickets.