in St Lucia

BRIAN LARA performed a rescue act to save the West Indies here yesterday, but at the end he wasn't quite happy with everything.

The West Indies captain suggested last night he was getting a negative vibe from the selection panel after making a request for more firepower to his fast bowling attack.

Speaking to a select group of Caribbean journalists after his battling hundred earned West Indies a hard-fought draw in the second Digicel Test against India at the Beausejour Stadium, Lara disclosed he had asked the selectors to consider either Jermaine Lawson or Tino Best for the third Test in St Kitts starting on June 22.

Negative feedback

"I've spoken to the selectors. I feel it's unfortunate that I'm getting a negative feedback because of that," Lara said.

"As captain of that team, you should have some sort of trust in that person. All I want to do in this position is produce results. I know the players I need.

"I have a good bunch of guys. I'm not being negative about any of my present players. I'm proud of their performances so far."

Under a new policy which came into effect when Bennett King took over as head coach in November 2004, the West Indies captain does not sit on the selection panel as was the case in the past.

Vesting vote

The panel includes convenor Joey Carew, Gordon Greenidge and Clyde Butts, with King having a vesting vote.

"I'm not a member of the main selection committee. I had to beg for a few players in the One-Day series," Lara said.

"It's unfortunate as captain. I was asked to do a job. I know what I need. I need to produce a lot of results and I need to get the players that I feel are capable of doing it."

Lara reckoned that Fidel Edwards, capable of bowling at more than 90 miles an hour, made the Indians uncomfortable in the opening Test in Antigua and felt that Lawson and Best could have a similar impact.

"I'm still hoping and keeping my fingers crossed that the selectors could at least think in the direction of picking somebody who can bowl fast," Lara said.

"We've got guys of lesser pace who can move the ball around. We can pick two or three guys from that club, but I still feel it is necessary to have that genuine fast bowler for the remainder of the series."

haydngill@nationnews.com