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India-Australia-West Indies Tri-Series>
No place for non-performers in the side: Lara
20th Sept 2006  20.41 IST
By Agencies  


West Indies skipper Brian Lara today blamed his batsmen for throwing away the match against India and said there would be no place for non-performers in the side.

"There are people knocking on the door. If these guys do not take the responsibility, they will be replaced," Lara said after the 16-run loss to India in the cricket tri-series in Kuala Lumpur.

"We wanted our batsmen to get as much batting as possible. We are not sure what is happening at the number six, seven and eight positions in the batting line-up," Lara said on the decision to shuffle the batting order.

"I wanted to give them (batsmen) responsibility but that did not happen. However, we are in the final. We know where we stand and we have to get our act together."

Lara however was all praise for his bowlers.

"I am proud of my bowlers. The cause of concern is our batting."

When asked why he chose to bat at number nine, he said, "I wanted to get myself out of the game to make the guys responsible and to make them get runs and confidence for the Sunday match."

On the pitch, Lara said, "this wicket is not a 250-run wicket. If we bowl in the right places we can get wickets."

He also said it did not matter whom they faced in the final on September 24.

Accolades were also reserved for his friend Sachin Tendulkar , who scored a crucial half century today.

"He is exceptional. He is a sight to behold and the perfect batsman. I am happy that he has come back. I want to see him do well on Friday," Lara said.

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In-Depth Coverage: India-Australia-West Indies Tri-Series
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