Date-stamped : 06 Jun96 - 02:16
2 June 1996

Lara vows to let his bat do the talking

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Saturday - Brian Lara  has  promised  to
keep his mouth shut and let his batting speak for him.

The West Indies batsman, reprimanded last month for two incidents
during  the  World Cup, said: "The way I want to repay the people
of the West Indies is by ensuring I score some  high totals   and
that we win the next test series later in the year.``

"We must aim to be number one in cricket.``

Lara, holder of the world record test score, was reprimanded over
derogatory  remarks  attributed  to him after the shock World Cup
defeat by Kenya and his  row  with  team physiotherapist   Dennis
Waight.

He said he would like "to thank all those who supported him  dur-
ing  a mixed 1995-1996 season. There were many ups and downs, now
I am hoping that only my runs will speak.``

Lara also said he wants to remain focused for the test series  in
Australia later this year.

"That is a crucial test series for all of us, we have  a  lot  to
prove and win back,`` he said.

"To me, it promises to be one of the  biggest  battles  ever.  We
will  probably  be the underdogs on this occasion, but that suits
us just fine, we are coming to Australia to win and avenge   that
loss last year.``

The West Indies, led by retired captain Richie  Richardson,  lost
their  first test series in 15 years to Mark Taylor`s Australians
in the Caribbean.

Source :: Daily News (http.//www.lanka.net)

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