Cricket: West Indies wait on Walsh

There has been a week of guessing and counter-guessing since the West Indies selectors politely told Courtney Walsh that his captaincy services were no longer required.

Will the big Jamaican, so close to breaking the West Indies' wicket-taking record, continue his international career under the leadership of Brian Lara, or bow out four short of a century of Tests?

After Jamaica's President's Cup draw with Barbados at Sabina Park, Walsh, publicly at least, was still in limbo. A return of 10 for 102 in the match on a re-laid pitch provided further evidence that Walsh is still vital to the West Indies.

"It's a hard decision. I didn't think too long about it during this game," said Walsh, keeping the selectors guessing before they pick the side for the first Test in Kingston on 29 January.

"Hopefully by Wednesday or Thursday, I'll be in a position to decide what I want to do," Walsh said. He will tell the media of his decision first before officially informing the West Indies Board. "It seems that most people in the West Indies want me to play. Goals and records are nice achievements, but you've got to do something you can live with," he added.

While Walsh contemplated his future, Lara was going about his business in a big way. He sent a warning to England with a double century in a North versus South match in Trinidad.