We are not chokers, says Lara

KINGSTON (JAMAICA): West Indies captain Brian Lara has dismissed suggestions that his team chocked under pressure in the first cricket one-dayer against India, but admitted there are areas where his side needs to improve quickly.

Lara cited the example of his fast bowler Jerome Taylor bowling a maiden in the 42nd over to assert that his boys could hold their nerve in pressure situation.

"I sometimes feel we don't get the respect we deserve. The game lasted 90 overs and India needed its last ounce of energy to beat us," he said reacting to Indian coach Greg Chappell's suggestion that the West Indies were not good in handling pressure situations.

Lara, however, conceded that his team needed more runs in the final few overs.

"Scoring 29 in the last five overs wasn't good. In those overs we should have got 40-45 and not scored at run a ball. Extras is another area we need to work upon as well as in fielding," said Lara, who recently led his team to a 5-0 clean sweep against Zimambwe at home.

Chris Gayle, who smashed a century after a gap of one year, said he was keen to work for it if he had to and get it out of the way.

"I was 95 not out against Zimbabwe and wanted to get it out of the way today. I wanted to bat through 50 overs and that certainly was the intention".

"Against Zimbabwe, I had begun slowly. Here, I wanted to up the tempo a bit and be more aggressive. Fortunately, it paid off", he added.