Lara - hoping to prove his greatness (Allsport).

By Fitzroy Prendergast, PA International

Still one of the game's most dominant batsmen, Brian Lara aims to be the axis on which the West Indies team spins at the World Cup.

Before hepatitis ruled him out of the West Indies' successful tour of India this autumn the 32-year-old Trinidadian was in exceptional form - following a slump which followed his brilliant exploits during the mid to late 1990s.

His renewed vigour was on show on the Windies' Sri Lankan tour last winter when he hammered an attack spearheaded by the lethal Muttiah Muralitharan, scoring an astonishing 688 runs in three Tests at an average of more than 100.

He then demonstrated such form was no fluke by tearing the inexperienced Kenyan bowling apart in the ICC Champions Trophy tournament in Sri Lanka.

He cracked a magnificent century to lead the West Indies to victory but was subsequently diagnosed with hepatitis and ordered to rest for six weeks.

Nevertheless, apart from possibly India's Sachin Tendulkar, no other batsman in the game at present dominates an attack so effortlessly.

He has proved repeatedly that his tremendous power off front or back foot, his shot selection, placement, audacity and fabulous timing can destroy the best bowlers in the world.

Certainly the 'Prince of Trinidad' will need to be in top form if the West Indies are to have a fighting chance of winning the World Cup.

Lara, who made his Test debut against Pakistan at Karachi in 1990/91, has played more than 200 one-day internationals and amassed more than 7,000 runs.

He is the second highest runscorer for the West Indies behind Desmond Haynes, who played 238 matches and scored 8,648 runs at an average of 41.23.

But the little Trinidadian has been plagued by injury and mishaps in recent times which might ultimately undermine his form.

Lara is also one the West Indies' finest fielders in both the slips or the outfield.

The former captain and second most capped one-day player in the current West Indies team remains one of the most astute thinkers in the game. If he is able to stay fit and focused at the World Cup his contribution could be immense.