Llyod refutes Viv's observation on ODI

ChennaI, Jan 26 (UNI) Former West Indies Captain and now consultant and manager Clive Lloyd today refuted his former teammate Viv Richards's observation that the four-match ODI series in India was not the right kind of preparation for the team prior to the World Cup back home in March-April.

Answering questions about the team's strengths and weaknesses at a joint press conference with current captain Brian Lara at the M A Chidambaram stadium here on the eve of the third ODI, the former south paw known to elevate the Caribbean team to world beaters during his captaincy said ''it is not so. The series is important because we wanted to play on different pitches before the World Cup.

''I think it's good to play before the World Cup as part of the preparation,'' observed Lloyd who was known for his hard hitting.

Asked whom he fancied to win the next World Cup, Lloyd shot back ''West Indies, ofcourse.'' Lloyd, it may be recalled, had led the team to two World Cup wins in 1975 and 1979 in a row before India upset the Caribbeans under his captaincy in the 1983 edition in England.

Pointng out there were many talented young players in the current Side, Lloyd observed ''only tme will tell how good they are for the future.'' ''Of course we had much better players in my time. But now we have a lot of young guys learning,'' Lloyd also observed adding ''we expect things from them.'' ''They are the best we have now'', Lloyd said. Asked which of the two roles he had been playing -- match referee and consultant-- gave him more satisfaction, the bespectacled legend, often referred to as 'Panther' in his playing days due to his amazing reflexes on field, said ''I am quite happy to be involved with the team as consultant.

But both the jobs are good,'' he said.

UNI