Lara - the Windies' premier batsman. (Allsport)

Born: 02.05.69
One-day internationals: 203
Batting: Left Hand (Avge: 42.64)
Bowling: Right Hand Leg Breaks (Avge: 11.50)
Catches: 83

Lara dispelled doubts over his future with a sensational return to his best in the three Tests in Sri Lanka at the end of 2001.

He achieved his stated goal of raising his Test average from 47 to above 50 with 688 runs at an average of 114.6.

Until then, there was speculation that the brilliant left-hander so lacked motivation that he would never regain the form that brought him his Test and first-class record scores in 1994 and made him the game's most-feared batsman.

Lara will be the West Indies' premier batsman in the World Cup, and if he continues where he left off before hepatitis struck him down after the ICC Champions Trophy the West Indies could be right up there with the big teams.