Lara is criticised by Lloyd

Brian Lara and the rest of the West Indies team came under severe criticism from their team manager yesterday. Clive Lloyd, who captained the West Indies at the height of their prowess during the late 1970s and early 1980s, spoke out two days after the tourists slumped to their heaviest Test loss in 40 years.

Australia beat West Indies by an innings and 183 runs in the fourth Test at Adelaide Oval to clinch the five-Test series 3-1. The final Test starts on Saturday in Perth.

Lloyd said Lara must apply himself more and temper his attacking instincts. "Brian's one of those batsmen who likes to score quickly but he's got to realise in Test cricket he's got to work harder," Lloyd said.

In the second and third Tests, Lara scored seven runs in four innings and as Lloyd pointed out: "Bowlers have studied him and worked out how to restrict his scoring."

Lloyd said the squad sent to Australia lacked balance with the absence of a front-line spinner and an all-rounder. There were other problems as well. "We still haven't got a good opening pair yet, our middle order is still there or thereabouts and our back-up bowlers haven't been too good," he said.

Craig McDermott, Australia's second-highest wicket-taker behind Dennis Lillee, retired yesterday from all levels of the sport. The fast bowler said he would rather go out on his terms than continue an injury- prone career.