Moore wants more

West Indies coach David Moore

West Indies’ young team can and must “step up” to the challenge of a new era against England this summer.

The urgent appraisal of what is required comes from new coach David Moore, charged alongside a fellow rookie - captain Ramnaresh Sarwan - with forging a successful squad as soon as possible.

Both men face a tough task to try to invigorate and organise the talented tourists for the four npower Tests starting at Lord’s next week - the Windies’ first assignment since the retirement of Brian Lara.

Master batsman Lara called time on his illustrious playing career last month after his team failed to sparkle at their own World Cup.

It was a watershed which also brought the resignation of Moore’s fellow Australian Bennett King, and the West Indies board therefore chose to elevate the former New South Wales wicket-keeper from assistant to fully-fledged national coach.

New West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan knows the tour ahead will be tough

The 41-year-old is very aware of the difficulties ahead for him and Sarwan but remains confident they have the wherewithal to succeed.

“Any coaching role with any world cricket team is going to be a challenge,” he said, as his team prepared to face Somerset in Taunton in a three-day fixture which will be their only shot at competitive cricket before they head to Lord’s.

“This one has its own significant challenges - but what encourages me is that we have a very good bunch of young players.

“They are very talented, and people tend to forget how young they are. I think in the World Cup we were the second-youngest squad in the whole tournament.

“We have the opportunity now to develop these young players and take them forward; these very talented cricketers just need to learn how to play at international level.”

Moore - appointed initially for this tour only - knows he and his young charges must learn quickly on a high-profile stage as the Windies go in search of a first series win against England for almost a decade.

The absence of Lara means there will be no hiding place.

“If you take a man out of a team who has scored 11,953 Test runs that’s a big gap to fill,” said Moore.

“We are not going to get a replacement who is as good as Brian Lara.

Moore has replaced Bennett King as West Indies' coach

That’s the bottom line; it just doesn’t happen every day - this man is a once-in-a-generation cricketer.

“If you look at any team if they have a batsman they know can score runs at an average of more than 50 he is always someone they will depend on, maybe a little bit too much.”

That can no longer be the case for the Windies.
“I didn’t want him to retire. I think he’s a fantastic cricketer,” he added.

“But nobody stops still for anyone in world cricket. We have to move on without Brian Lara and play the cards we have been dealt.”

But Moore believes he could yet have a winning hand.

“We have guys who are going to put their hand up and do the best they can for West Indies cricket - and we have some guys who definitely can step up,” he insists.

“We have to start competing at international level very seriously - and we are looking to make huge steps here, as I’m sure England will be as well.

“It is expected of these players to step up; they have to do that, and if they don’t we will be in a bit of strife.

“I believe they’ll be able to do it.”