All is not lost for Windies: Lara

GEORGETOWN – West Indies skipper Brian Lara has said he remains optimistic of making it to the World Cup semi-finals despite his team’s third successive defeat in the Super Eights.

The hosts have just two points from four games following their crushing 113-run defeat against Sri Lanka here on Sunday. They had already lost to defending champions Australia and New Zealand in their first two matches.Their two points came after their win over fellow-qualifiers Ireland in a group match.They will now take on England, South Africa and Bangladesh in their remaining three matches.”We’ve a lot of time to regroup and make sure we win the remaining matches.Let’s hope it’s not too late.Let’s make sure we have a chance.We have got to stay upbeat as we are representing the Caribbean,” said Lara.Windies fans call for Lara’s sacking BRIDGETOWN – Irate West Indies fans called for captain Brian Lara to be sacked following the team’s third consecutive defeat in the Super Eights of the World Cup on Sunday.After Sri Lanka trounced the home team by 113 runs in Guyana, many fans 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.The defeat was likely to spell the West Indies’ eventual exit from the tournament before the semi-finals.They have three more second-stage matches to play against South Africa, Bangladesh and England and must win them all to stand any chance of progressing.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.Sanath revives ’96 Cup memories GEORGETOWN – Sanath Jayasuriya may be playing in his last World Cup, but has proved he still has it in him to demoralise any attack with his breath-taking strokes.The 37-year-old Sri Lanka opener was on song in his team’s second Super Eights match against the West Indies here on Sunday, hammering a 101-ball 115 for his 25th century with four sixes and 10 fours.The knock revived memories of the 1996 World Cup in the sub-continent when Jayasuriya redefined batting in the opening overs with his consistent over-the-top hitting.He was one of the stars of Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning squad 11 years ago.Fletcher looks to WAGS for boost ST JOHN’S – England coach Duncan Fletcher believes the recent arrival of the England cricket team’s wives and girlfriends can play a key role in helping his side raise their game during what will be a vital week for their World Cup hopes.Many former England players criticised the presence of the WAGS, as they are collectively called, during England’s 5-0 Ashes series humiliation in Australia, saying their presence was a distraction and meant the team didn’t bond as a close-knit unit.And during last year’s football World Cup in Germany, the partners of England players received widespread criticism for what was deemed to be their publicity-seeking conduct.But England coach Fletcher was gratified by the arrival of England’s ‘other halves’ at the team hotel in Antigua.Nampa-Reuters and AFPThey had already lost to defending champions Australia and New Zealand in their first two matches.Their two points came after their win over fellow-qualifiers Ireland in a group match.They will now take on England, South Africa and Bangladesh in their remaining three matches.”We’ve a lot of time to regroup and make sure we win the remaining matches.Let’s hope it’s not too late.Let’s make sure we have a chance.We have got to stay upbeat as we are representing the Caribbean,” said Lara.Windies fans call for Lara’s sacking BRIDGETOWN – Irate West Indies fans called for captain Brian Lara to be sacked following the team’s third consecutive defeat in the Super Eights of the World Cup on Sunday.After Sri Lanka trounced the home team by 113 runs in Guyana, many fans 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.The defeat was likely to spell the West Indies’ eventual exit from the tournament before the semi-finals.They have three more second-stage matches to play against South Africa, Bangladesh and England and must win them all to stand any chance of progressing.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.Sanath revives ’96 Cup memories GEORGETOWN – Sanath Jayasuriya may be playing in his last World Cup, but has proved he still has it in him to demoralise any attack with his breath-taking strokes.The 37-year-old Sri Lanka opener was on song in his team’s second Super Eights match against the West Indies here on Sunday, hammering a 101-ball 115 for his 25th century with four sixes and 10 fours.The knock revived memories of the 1996 World Cup in the sub-continent when Jayasuriya redefined batting in the opening overs with his consistent over-the-top hitting.He was one of the stars of Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning squad 11 years ago.Fletcher looks to WAGS for boost ST JOHN’S – England coach Duncan Fletcher believes the recent arrival of the England cricket team’s wives and girlfriends can play a key role in helping his side raise their game during what will be a vital week for their World Cup hopes.Many former England players criticised the presence of the WAGS, as they are collectively called, during England’s 5-0 Ashes series humiliation in Australia, saying their presence was a distraction and meant the team didn’t bond as a close-knit unit.And during last year’s football World Cup in Germany, the partners of England players received widespread criticism for what was deemed to be their publicity-seeking conduct.But England coach Fletcher was gratified by the arrival of England’s ‘other halves’ at the team hotel in Antigua.Nampa-Reuters and AFP