Brian Lara has finally fulfilled his lifelong wish to captain the West Indies.

It, however, took a full West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) meeting in Antigua last week to decide on LaraÕs captaincy. In fact, this decision, perhaps painful to some Board members, may be seen to overturn the previously held view of the BoardÕs executive, that Lara was not the man for the job.

I am on record as saying that Lara should have been made captain last year, 1997, in that short two-Test series against Sri Lanka. Therefore, I believe that this unavoidable appointment in 1998 is almost a year late.

Following the West IndiesÕ worst defeat ever in Pakistan late last year under the captaincy of Courtney Walsh, the WICB was forced to defend the honour of West Indies cricket, by looking to a new leader, who would now seek to rebuild and recover.

LetÕs, however, not be mistaken. LaraÕs task as captain of a team which is fast declining as a super power in world cricket (perhaps, third or fourth in the world rankings), is not an easy one. With little reserve talent to turn to, the West Indies selectors would hardly come up with vast changes for the first Test in Jamaica.

Walsh and Curtly Ambrose should be the backbone of the West Indies attack, along with Mervyn Dillon and Franklyn Rose. I cannot see any need for a specialist spinner, while there is some obligation to continue with David Williams behind the stumps. Clearly the search is still on for a good opening pair. Sherwin Campbell and ...?

The captaincy, however, is only one of several issues to be resolved in West Indies cricket at this time. Low morale and disharmony within the team are evidenced by the lack of effort and commitment on the part of some key players.

Further, WalshÕs reaction to his removal from the captaincy, must be confusing to most observers. Whether he plays in this series against England seems to be in some doubt, which does suggest the existence of Ôbad bloodÕ between himself and Brian Lara. This strained relationship, in my distanced view, has been an impediment to West IndiesÕ progress in recent times.

With the first Test in Kingston, one wonders if the pro-Walsh fraction would have a significant negative effect on Lara.

I wish to renew my earlier call for a Ôsoul searchingÕ team meeting prior to this Test series. Our players ought to know the truth, that is, perform or be replaced.

But arenÕt we too late in selecting our West Indies team? After all, the Englishmen are already on the job.