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West Indies captain Brian Lara hopes yesterday's impressive 10-wicket victory over Australia in the second Cable and Wireless Test at Sabina Park will be the turning point that the team has been desperately searching for.

The once mighty West Indies, who have been heavily criticised throughout the globe for their recent 5-0 humiliation in South Africa and their heavy loss to Australia in the first Test in Trinidad where the team crashed for 51 in the second innings - showed glimpses of their old form, said an elated Lara.

According to the captain, who inspired his side with an outstanding innings of 213 in which he shared in a record-breaking fifth wicket partnership of 322 with James Adams: ``This victory was very important for West Indies cricket. We have been going through disastrous times. This was a period where people were really disappointed and showing their emotions.

``I think we really needed this. It was very obvious that the batters at some point in time had to come good for us to turn things around.''

The 29-year-old Lara, who was under pressure after being named captain for only the first two Test matches, said his innings was one of the most important ones that he had played for the West Indies.

``I think it can go down as the most important innings because that knock was very important for West Indies cricket.''

Australia after their comfortable victory in the first Test, were accused of complacency, but Aussie skipper Steve Waugh said that was not the case.

``Not at all,'' said Waugh. ``We did not accept the half chances, the batting wasn't good enough, we did not respect our wicket enough, we did not work hard enough, and that's vital.''

West Indies manager Clive Lloyd was happy and looking forward to better things from now on.

``It is good winning this Test match,'' said Lloyd. ``It will give us the type of lift that is needed and more so the Caribbean people. We haven't had a lot to smile about the past couple of months. It's great to see the guys bubbling and feeling elated.

``We know that one swallow does not make a summer, we have to do well in Barbados, if we can win that, and I am sure that the way we played here we can, and if we win this series, it will certainly give us a lift. I would like to see some of the young players, the young batsmen, getting some runs. That would fill me with joy.''

The former Windies captain was, however, impressed with newcomer Nehemiah Perry.

``I was quite impressed with the way Perry batted. He looked the part, he played straight when he batted, he is an excellent fielder and he bowled with gusto. I thought he did extremely well in his first Test match.''