Talk 2000 - Adams bats for Lara Jamaica Gleaner April 7, 2000 West Indies Cricket Team captain Jimmy Adams played true to form last night when he appeared as a guest on The Gleaner's Talk 2000 series on its Go-Jamaica Web site. The batsman, known for his defensive approach at the wicket, never wavered from the approach which has suited him well in his profession. He "padded up" to questions he was unsure of, played inside the line to those just outside his offstump, and ducked under the bouncers which came his way. Adams was constantly peppered with questions about Lara, the captaincy of the West Indies Cricket team and who would be sacrificed to make way for Lara if and when he returns to the regional team. Asked what place coach Roger Harper and Adams himself had for Lara in the team, Adams said: "I believe Brian's talent alone fully answers that question." To another question about him calling for Lara, Adams said the Trinidadian was still one the two best batsmen in the world. Adams was even more embracing of Lara when asked if he liked him. "Like is an understatement," he responded. "Brian is like a brother to me both on and off the field." Pressed, Adams would not give his wicket away, choosing to play straight. "Let me state categorically that I do not and have never considered the position of captaincy to be mine. I would love to see Brian back in the team in any capacity," he responded to a question about what he would do if Lara offered to return to the team on condition that he be reappointed captain. With other questions, the skipper who rarely shows any form of emotion on the field, occasionally lost his composure, sometimes offering sharp one or two-word answers. In one such case, Adams refused to be drawn into any argument about his friend's mental state, dismissing with: "Don't know", a request to comment on a statement accredited to Michael Holding that Lara needs psychological help. Another topic which seemed upsetting to the captain was how he cut his finger while on a flight to the South African tour in late 1998. On the question of what role he saw in West Indies cricket for West Indies great Vivian Richards who was recently overlooked for the position of West Indies coach, Adams opted to leave it alone. "I think people of the calibre of Vivian could play a big role in our game. Whether that decision is ever made is outside of my hands." For West Indies cricket to get back to the top of the World game, the former Jamaica College student said improvement was needed in all areas of the team's game. The region, he said, was at an interesting period in its cricket but he sees a bright future ahead. "There is a distinct possibility of going back to the top of international cricket but it will take time, collective effort and a lot of planning and I am looking to the future with a keen sense of anticipation." On a personal note, Adams credits his commitment to Christianity with being the driving force behind his cricket, said he had no regrets about choosing cricket over a possibly more formal and lucrative profession. He dismissed a rumour that he had once considered becoming a doctor. "I never attempted to, nor wanted to study medicine." Responding to another question, he said marriage, like everything else, would come in "good time".