Uplifted by Lara

West Indies coach Roger Harper is delighted to be heading to England with star batsman Brian Lara in his "bag".

'I think Brian Lara will strengthen any team in the world and we are looking forward to him performing at his best,' Harper said.

He was responding to a question relating to the star batsman's inclusion and whether he was fit and would strengthen the team.

Upbeat group

He was speaking at the Grantley Adams International Airport yesterday evening shortly before an upbeat group of 16 players and four officials left on what the coach expects to be a tough and competitive tour, given the young players in the party.

'All in all, we think it will be a tough tour but we are expecting to perform at a very high standard.

'We want to be as competitive as possible from Ball 1 and we are looking forward to the tour.'

He stressed that the English conditions would be the main factor and added that the English players would be used to their conditions and would also be very comfortable playing at home.

Whatever it takes

'So we have to try and adapt as quickly as possible.'

Captain Jimmy Adams, who was limping after a bit of soreness from Monday's marathon innings in Antigua, said the aim was to win.

'We want to win. Whatever it takes to win, we want to do,' Adams said, noting that the West Indies woud be seeking to reverse the recent losing trend on overseas tours.

'I'm not into making any predictions but I can say we are aware of it (losing overseas) and we are committed to turning that around.'

Fresh from their victory over Pakistan on Monday, the team arrived in Barbados yesterday morning. Star batsman Brian Lara flew in a few hours later at 1:45 p.m. and headed straight to the Rockley Resort where the team had assembled.

They will officially start the tour on Friday with the traditional three-day match against Worcestershire.

The Test series starts on June 15 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The West Indies also meet England and Zimbabwe in a triangular One-Day series that starts in July.

The squad:

Jimmy Adams (captain), Sherwin Campbell, Curtly Ambrose, Brian Lara, Adrian Griffith, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Wavell Hinds, Chris Gayle, Ridley Jacobs, Franklyn Rose, Reon King, Courtney Walsh, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Nixon McLean, Corey Collymore; manager: Ricky Skerritt; coach: Roger Harper; assistant coach: Jeffrey Dujon; physio-therapist/trainer: Ronald Rogers.