KOLKATA, Sept 20: The International Cricket Council (ICC) should grant Test status to new teams without compromising quality, West Indies captain Brian Lara said on Saturday.

“Test status is something that the ICC should be careful about,” Lara told reporters in Kolkata.

Lara welcomed the ICC’s decision to involve 16 nations in the next World Cup in the West Indies in 2007, but said unguarded enthusiasm may not benefit the sport.

The ICC said on Friday that the World Cup will be expanded to include 16 teams, from the present 14.

“Cricket is trying to spread its wings. It’s good that the qualifiers try hard to improve their cricket and it’s fine that the ICC reward them with entry into the World Cup. But Test matches are something different,” Lara said.

Lara was in Kolkata to inaugurate a go-karting championship.

Lara also said India’s forthcoming trip to Australia will be a Test for Indian captain Sourav Ganguly.

“Ganguly has done a tremendous job so far getting into the World Cup final in South Africa earlier this year and becoming the joint winner of the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka before that,” he said.

“But the tour to Australia will be different, as it will need a lot of self-belief and strength of character to win there,” he said.

Asked about his second stint as the West Indies captain, Lara said:

“The leadership skill has developed. I’m also a better listener now,” he added—APP/AP