April 03, 2007	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 14, 1428

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PROVIDENCE, April 2: Former Test fast bowler Michael Holding called on Sunday for Brian Lara to step down as West Indies captain as the host's World Cup campaign continued to unravel.

Holding believes that the West Indies, who are in danger of failing to reach the semi-finals after losing both of their opening Super Eights matches, will only enjoy a renaissance in their fortunes if the record-breaking Lara quits.

“Lara has to step aside, not necessarily as a player, but as captain,” said Holding.

“He needs to co-operate with the new captain and allow him to have a free hand to take the West Indies forward.”

Lara is in his third spell as captain but his leadership came under fire when strike bowler Jerome Taylor was dropped from the team for the tame defeat against New Zealand and replaced by an extra batsman, Lendl Simmons.

After the match in Antigua Lara became involved in an ugly public slanging match with selector Andy Roberts over the make-up of the team with Lara insisting he can only work with the 15-man squad he was given.

“Where was he when the selection meeting took place?” asked a bemused Holding. “If he can explain that, then he can talk.”

Holding, who was part of the World Cup squad in 1979 when the West Indies last won the title, added that the team has not improved under Lara's stewardship.

“Lara appears bigger than the game. He has got whatever he has wanted,” said Holding.

“We haven't seen an improvement when he has taken over the captaincy.

Everyone knows he's a great batsman but that's not what it takes to lead a team. I can't even say he is a good captain tactically.”

Holding’s comments were backed by irate fans who drowned their sorrows with a traditional glass of rum in the Barbados capital Bridgetown, which will hold the final of the seven-week tournament on April 28.

Lindon Albert watched the game in an inner city bar and joined friends in calling for Lara's removal as captain of the host team.

“What we are getting is simply not good enough,” he said. “I don't see them (West Indies) winning another game. This is over for us.”

He turned his anger towards Lara, who holds the records for highest test and first-class individual scores, and said he should give up the game.

“Lara should go, he should retire from the game. He is a great batsman but his leadership is weak.”

Also in the bar watching the match on a small television was Timothy Daniel, a 54-year-old die-hard West Indies supporter.

“In all my days I've never seen us as bad as this. We can't take this any more,” he shouted across the room. “Time for a change ... We have to get rid of Lara. He looks lost ... he looks rusty.”

Mary Vaughan blamed the recent war of words between Lara and Roberts for unsettling the team ahead of Sunday's match.

“There is too much shuffling in the team and the team is clearly unsettled,” she said. “What happened between Lara and Roberts was a shame and they have to look at themselves and see if their actions made sense.”

At Brown's Beach outside the city, some fans splashed in the Caribbean while other sat on the shore listening to the commentary on radios.

“Another rough ride,” said Sean Clarke, “I'm not surprised. I sort of expected us to lose. We're not a strong team.”

Rommelle Hillaire blasted the entire team and called for change. “From Lara at the top to all the others at the bottom, they have to go,” he said.

Tens of millions of dollars have been spent upgrading and building new stadiums for the tournament, including the Kensington Oval just outside Bridgetown which will stage the final.—Agencies