Adams in Lara's corner

Lara and Adams

WEST Indies captain Jimmy Adams is backing Brian Lara to rediscover his best form in the forthcoming five-match Test series against England.

Lara has been out of international cricket since February when he informed the West Indies Cricket Board he needed a break from the game.

He missed the two-Test series against Zimbabwe and the just finished three -match series against Pakistan. But shortly before the selectors convened to pick their 16-man squad to tour England Lara informed them he was available again if required.

His subsequent selection has not met with widespread approval in the Caribbean.

But new captain Adams insisted on the team's arrival in Worcester, where they start a three-day fixture today, that he and his players are "very happy and delighted" to have Lara back on board.

Asked what Lara's return would bring to the squad, Adams said without hesitation: "Greatness".

"His ability is beyond question. He obviously hasn't been playing any cricket for a few months so there might be a mental hurdle for him to get over," Adams said.

"But if someone has asked for a rest and then comes back saying he's rested I would anticipate the rest has done him good.

"So I would like to think that with Brian's ability and keenness he will be close enough to 100 per cent by the start of the first Test to make a big contribution to our cause."

It was against England six years ago that Lara scored his world record Test score of 375. A few months later he made 501 not out, the highest score in first-class cricket, for Warwickshire.

Adams insists there is no reason why Lara cannot "do even better" in future.

"As his captain and friend I am certainly hoping for even more than he has done in the past," he said. "I would like to believe he hasn't yet reached the peak of his career and will use this tour to prove the point.

"Many of the world's greatest batsmen like Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes and Graham Gooch all became even better players in their 30s.

"Knowing Brian's drive and ambition there's no reason why he won't do the same."

Adams admitted he had so much "on his plate" in the Caribbean over the past three months he would have to "plead ignorance" on the current strengths and weaknesses of the England team.

"But we arrive with tremendous respect for England, though we are here to win the series."

Dominican wicket-keeper Wayne Phillip has been drafted into the West Indies squad for the game to replace resting Ridley Jacobs.

The 22-year-old Phillip, playing league cricket in England this summer, is expected to play the role of cover for Jacobs on the tour.

West Indies team: Sherwin Campbell (captain), Adrian Griffith, Chris Gayle, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Wayne Phillip, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Nixon McLean, Franklyn Rose, Corey Collymore.

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