MELBOURNE - Brian Lara wants to redeem himself in the eyes of West Indies cricket after today admitting he hadn't lived up to expectation in recent series.

A candid Lara said the West Indies younger players must learn to relish the challenges they face and admitted he may never tour Australia again. Regarded by some as the most talented batsman in world cricket, Lara has battled injury, mixed form, waning motivation and the pressure of carrying a moderately performed team in the latter part of his career.

"The amount of reliance that was placed on myself for the one-dayers and the Test series was something I didn't live up to - it's something that I relish but I didn't live up to it," Lara admitted.

"We've got a tough series coming up against South Africa at home.

"Hopefully I can pay back the West Indies the amount of investment they've had.

"I had three months to sort myself out, I didn't have a great series in England, I didn't have a good series here in Australia but it's sport and hopefully I can pick up a bit."

Lara, 31, said the talented young batsmen of the West Indies must enjoy the task of assuming his mantle as the team's best, just as he did in the awesome team he entered in 1990.

"I remember when I was 21, 22, relished the opportunity to go out there and bat with Desmond Haynes and outshine Richie Richardson," Lara said.

"I want the younger players to come forward and make a name for themselves.

"It's the toughest tour they can have come on and maybe from here they can kickstart their careers.

"The (Ramnaresh) Sarwans, the Marlon Samuels, are very good young players, very talented and I expect a lot from them in the future.

Lara suffered a hamstring injury in England in June which he had carried through the Australian tour as he was unable to give the muscle the rest required to cure it.

He was unsure if he would ever get the opportunity to tour Australia again, as the next Windies visit was four years away.

"Four years is a pretty long time so it's hard for me to predict that but I hope it isn't the last time," Lara said.

"I love playing cricket in Australia, it's my third Test series here and I've had great times."

© 2001 AAP