We owe the fans - Lara

19 April 2007

Brian Lara has endured a miserable World Cup in front of his home fans © Getty Images

West Indies captain Brian Lara has called on his team to put on a show for their supporters in their final two World Cup matches.

The hosts have endured a hugely disappointing tournament and will bow out after two meaningless Super Eight games against Bangladesh - in Barbados on Thursday - and England.

The inquest into West Indies’ failure to reach the semi-finals is already under way but Lara, who will retire from one-day internationals after the competition, wants to restore some pride.

He said: “We want to finish on a high and we have got two games left. It is very important to us to do something at this stage and the guys are very aware of that.

“The fans have been very supportive throughout the World Cup and it is high time that we come to the party and give a good performance.”

West Indies got through their group well enough with wins over Pakistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe but Super Eight losses to Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and South Africa ended their hopes.

West Indies' loyal fans have not had their faith repayed

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Bangladesh also cannot make the last four and, like West Indies, have just two Super Eight points to their name, but for them the tournament has been a positive experience.

They were not expected to come through a group including Sri Lanka and India, and have shown encouraging signs of progress since.

As a result, Lara is expecting a competitive game when the sides meet at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Thursday.

Lara said: “We have been disappointing in the first four games of the second round but a team like Bangladesh, for them, every game against a Test-playing nation is a big opportunity.

“We are aware of that and we are going to come out hard and give our very best.”

West Indies could make changes, with all-rounder Kieron Pollard and batsman Lendl Simmons in the reckoning for a place.

Bangladesh, who beat South Africa earlier in the tournament, are hoping to bounce back after losing to Ireland in their last game.

Skipper Habibul Bashar said: “One day we look brilliant and the next we are ordinary. We need to be more consistent.”