AUCKLAND, March 7: West Indian batting legend Brian Lara says the beleaguered Caribbean side are ready to return to their winning ways in the Test series against New Zealand starting on Thursday.

Lara also berated the critical New Zealand media for being “disrespectful towards a country that has a greater cricketing history than the present country we’re playing.”

The West Indies have lost eight of their last 11 Tests and drawn two but Lara said the side has some exciting new talent ready to make its presence felt in the three-Test series starting in Auckland.

“I sense that this three-Test series could be a turning point, and I sense within myself a desire to win,” he said.—AFP