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Brian Lara, already on ``probation'' with his selectors, turned up 45 minutes late for the West Indies' final practice yesterday on the eve of the second Test against Australia here.

The game is of special importance for Lara, who has been given two matches to show his leadership qualities - not least the ability to keep to team schedules, which was part of the problem during the 5-0 series defeat in South Africa.

After Kingston, the selectors decide whether to retain Lara as captain for the remaining two Tests and then the World Cup. There is speculation that Shivnarine Chanderpaul might replace him, though Lara was dismissive of the idea. ``That is just people's opinions,'' he said.

The other 14 players in the party had been going through their exercise and warm-up routine for 45 minutes on a local pitch in already blistering sunshine early yesterday morning when Lara arrived in a taxi.

He had been in the Asylum nightclub here until 1.30 am - drinking very little, but the only player on view - before returning to his hotel.

The other players arrived at the Kensington cricket ground at 8.30 am and the team's psychologist, Rudi Webster, commented: ``Yes, he's late. I only hope he's got some money to pay the team fine when he gets here.''

But when Lara eventually arrived, he explained he had been to see a doctor about the results of X-rays on the cracked bone in his right wrist. When it was put to him that Dr Webster knew nothing of this, Lara said manager Clive Lloyd and coach Malcolm Marshall were aware of his situation.

Lloyd, who specifically arranged for Lara to be interviewed before practice began, said vaguely: ``He had to go somewhere. There are about nine million radio stations on Jamaica.'' Lloyd made no mention of the visit to the doctor.

Lara said of the criticism levelled against him in South Africa for turning up late: ``There is always sensational reporting. When the board raised the matter it was something I looked at and responded to immediately.''

Lara is well aware that he will be effectively on trial in Jamaica, where there is noticeably less warmth towards him than in his native Trinidad.

Curtly Ambrose is still doubtful because of knee problems but spinners are expected to rule at Sabina Park.

Meanwhile, Carl Hooper, ``torn in two'' watching his team-mates crushed in the first Test, said yesterday he would leave Australia tomorrow to rejoin the team for the third Test.

Hooper has been in the country since the South African tour as his infant son is being treated for an undisclosed illness. The family home is in Adelaide.