New West Indies captain Brian Lara has attributed his team's good performance, on day three of the first test match against world champions Australia, mainly to good team spirit and courage.
Lara said, "we've got good team spirit and I draw my strength from within the team," adding, "the guys are really focused and I am very proud of them."
The captain continued, "when you look at Chanderpaul's performance in the first innings especially and the way Ridley [Jacobs] played it gives you courage."
Lara claimed that the way the team played yesterday was a continuation of the way they played the day before.
He said that he was disappointed with the way he got out because he was `seeing' the ball very well, but added that these things happen.
Lara stated that, "this game could have been a three-day Test match, but we planned to go out there and bat all day."
The West Indies captain was asked about the performance of his countryman Darren Ganga and said, "I have know Darren to be a good player, and technically he is very sound," adding, "what has been missing in the past is a big score and he got that today."
Lara was asked about the crowd's support and said, "I think that the Guyanese crowd supported the entire West Indies team and not only me and I am happy about that."
The captain stressed that he was given a job which he accepted willingly and as a result he has to do what it takes to lead the team an instill in them team work and discipline.
Lara said that the pitch is still good for batting and so the West Indies need to bat for as long as possible.
The captain was asked if he felt that Australia were missing Glen McGrath and Shane Warne because of the way the West Indies batted and said, "Australia are still in a very good position so I can't say that they miss any one such as McGrath or Warne.
Darren Ganga who scored his first Test century and who was making his first Test appearance in the West Indies, shared the press conference with Lara.
He was asked how he felt after scoring his first Test century and said, "first I must thank God" adding, "I must also thank the selectors who showed faith in me, thank God for that."