Lara Wants Winning Finale

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Lara - wants to end on a high.

Brian Lara insists the West Indies still have plenty to play for in the World Cup despite failing to reach the semi-finals.

Lara's side have been a huge disappointment on home soil and can no longer make the last four even though they still have two games to play.

The inquest into their failure is already getting under way but Lara wants them to start salvaging pride as they take on Bangladesh in Barbados today.

"The two remaining games are of utmost importance to us," Lara said.

"It's important that we do start the second round - we still haven't actually.

"We want to finish on a high and we have got two games left. These next two matches are of no consequence in terms of the World Cup, but they are very important for us, and the guys are very aware of that.

"The fans have been very supportive throughout the World Cup and it is high time that we come to the party and give a good performance."

The West Indies' campaign ends with a game against another dispirited side, England, on Saturday.

After that, preparations for this summer's tour of England must begin and there are calls in the Caribbean for a shake-up.

Lara has already announced he will retire from one-day internationals but the current skipper has no intention of looking for scapegoats.

He said: "This is not the time for condemnation but constructive criticism. We just did not play good cricket, we were beaten by better teams on the day. We have disappointed ourselves and our fans."

The West Indies got through their group well enough with wins over Pakistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe but Super Eight losses to Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and South Africa have ended their hopes.

Bangladesh also cannot make the last four, and like the West Indies have just two Super Eight points to their name, but for them the tournament has been a positive experience.

The Tigers were not expected to come through a group including Sri Lanka and India and they have shown encouraging signs of progress.

Nevertheless, after beating India and South Africa, they still have a point to prove after losing to Ireland in their last outing.

Captain Habibul Bashar said: "One day we look brilliant and the next we are ordinary. We need to be more consistent.

"Winning any game at the World Cup is very important for Bangladesh. We don't want to be number eight in the Super Eights."