Writing in the January edition of the Wisden Cricket Monthly, David Gower of England and Wasim Akram of Pakistan both support Lara.

Gower said he Òneeds both the freedom to allow the genius within to be given free rein and some extra responsibility to define the bounds of that freedomÓ.

Akram, who was at the helm when Pakistan beat the West Indies in all three Tests in Pakistan before resigning earlier this week, made the same point.

ÒPeople say LaraÕs irresponsible but, if you give him responsibility, then that side of him will be channelled for the good of the team,Ó he stated.

Akram also noted that Lara Òhas got such confidence and that would rub off on the whole teamÓ.

ÒThatÕs what they lack at the moment: confidence as a team.Ó

The selectors met in Antigua yesterday to nominate their captain to todayÕs full meeting of the board. An announcement of their decision is expected this afternoon.

When the selectors put forward Lara last June for the recent tour of Pakistan and Sharjah, the board rejected the recommendation and stuck with Walsh through a telephone ring-around of representatives.

Gower now believes the time has come for Lara to take over.

ÒThose who make the decisions in West Indies cricket have kept him down long enough,Ó Gower wrote.

ÒIt seems that he has had neither the capacity nor the wish to wait for his time to come, or so his behaviour under both Richie Richardson and Courtney Walsh would suggest.Ó

He added: ÒHis response has hardly been that of the selfless team man, but now the West Indies must bite the bullet, make him captain and see if he has the ability to bring the team together in the same way as Clive Lloyd in the period of their greatest domination.Ó

Gower, like Lara an elegant left-handed batsman, was captain in 32 of his 117 Tests in which he was EnglandÕs second highest run-scorer with 8 231 runs.

If Lara is captain, Gower said, it would give him the incentive to Òprove to the board, his colleagues, the West Indies supporters and all of us who watch intrigued from a distance just how wronged he has beenÓ.

ÒThe hardest to convince are likely to be his team-mates,Ó he cautioned.