Back at the helm after relinquishing the job in 1999, Lara declared at yesterday’s launching of the 2003 series that he’s got his style of captaincy, and he has also learnt all the parameters of being a captain. “It’s not just on the field, you’re going to see a lot of improvements in other areas.”

Lara scoffed at rumours that he had back-stabbed former captain Carl Hooper, admitting that he had learnt from both Hooper and Jimmy Adams.

According to Lara, his interest in the captaincy diminished in 2000 as he wanted to be led. However, “a year ago, Rev. Wes Hall, the president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said to me, that at some point, there’s going to be a gap if Carl Hooper retires; what’s going to happen, so you should rethink your position on the W.I. captaincy again.

Lara said he thought about it and “and now it came sooner than expected, so we should not allude to any negative stuff. This is a job that I’ve been asked to do and I’m privileged to be asked and I’m looking forward to put my best foot forward.”

The left-handed batting star declared that it’s an honour to be in charge of the West Indies team again, pointing out that “they’re lots of things floating on the outside but said that his post has been recommended by the selectors and okayed by the West Indies Cricket Board.

I’ve got a job to do. I’ve got to go out there and lead the West Indies cricket team. Presently I’m in the best frame of mind possibly to do so and I’m sure the rest of the guys are very happy to be here as members of the team and I’m sure there’s not going to be much to do mentally on the side of what’s happening on the outside.

“We’ve got to deal with the Australian cricket team and ensure that we give a good account of ourselves,” a pensive Lara declared.

The world record-holder opined that the current West Indies team have been moving forward and the only change has been in the leadership. “I think we have a better team, batting-wise at least. While Ambrose and Walsh were around in 1999, I think this team is a more matured team, you could depend a lot more on.”

Admitting that the World Cup champions would definitely start as favourites, Lara pointed out that “I will back my guys to come out and give a good account of themselves”.

Australian captain Steve Waugh reiterated that his side is not unduly bothered with the absence of three key and experienced players in leg-spinner Shane Warne, middle-order batsman Damien Martyn and ace fast bowler Glenn McGrath.

“We’ve got a tough job on hand. We’ve got three experienced players out but it gives an opportunity to the new players and the younger players. We have got more than enough good players to do the job,” Waugh emphasised.

Waugh, who first played for Australia in 1985, said Australia intend to continue the same brand of cricket that has propelled them into an almost unbeatable force, pointing out that he feels great to be back in the Caribbean, one of his favourite places to play.

The 37-year-old Waugh, who will surpass Allan Border’s record of Test appearances in the first Test, remarked that it gave him great satisfaction to pass his former captain and set the world record for the number of Tests.