KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) - Star batsman Brian Lara has no interest in leading the West Indies cricket team again.

For the first time since he gave up the post just prior to the 2000 home series against Zimbabwe and Pakistan after leading West Indies in 18 Tests, Lara categorically rejected the idea of being appointed captain in a radio interview during the Red Stripe Bowl limited-overs championship.

"Nooooooo... The only person I am going to lead right now is my daughter, Sydney, but West Indies cricket requires a good leader and I think Carl Hooper is doing a good job," Lara told KLAS-FM's Scoreboard talk show.

"I think, however, someone else should be groomed for the position on his departure, or whenever we need a new leader. Presently, I just want to be a part of the team and I want to do my part leading in the batting and trying to get the young players doing the right thing."

As West Indies captain, Lara won six Tests, lost 10 and drew two, but he could not readily identify anyone to take over the reins once Hooper goes.

"It is very hard to say who would be the next West Indies captain once Carl goes," the 32-year-old from Trinidad & Tobago said.

“We have a number of young players, but none of them are captaining their country. That in itself is a problem because there is no one to say let us look at him at the regional level and see if he has the necessary leadership qualities.”

Lara, however, is not calling for regional sides to ignore senior players and offer the job of captaincy to young, inexperienced players.

“I do not see it being the fault of the territory of not handing the captaincy of their national side to a 20- or 21-year-old even though he may make a future West Indies captain," remarked the gifted left-hander, who holds records for the highest Test and first-class scores.

“One of the problems I had was being named Trinidad & Tobago captain at the age of 20. With senior players like Gus Logie and Tony Gray still playing, I had a major difficulty.

“I had a problem getting my leadership qualities out and getting everybody to rally around me because I was such a young player, so we have to be very careful.”

The interview will be carried on the CMC radio satellite network tomorrow from midday.