Lara - File

Tony Becca, Contributing Editor

When the Cricket World Cup fixture was first unveiled some-time ago, today's match at the historic Kensington Oval was eagerly anticipated.

It was the West Indies - the popular home team, against England - the mother of the game; it was a contest between arch-rivals; it was the last match of the second round Super Eights; it was between two teams which were expected to be in the fight for a place in the semi-finals; and with some exciting batsmen on both sides, it was expected to be a thriller played out before a bumper crowd.

Although neither team is still in the running for a place among the last four, even though, with one at number five and one at number six, it is now between two losers and more like a Plate final, up to a day or so ago, it was still the West Indies versus England and the fans were dreaming of cricket beyond the ordinary.

EXTRA-SPECIAL OCCASION

Right now, however, it is more than that. It is Brian Lara's farewell and because of that, it is expected to be an extra-special occasion.

On Thursday evening, minutes after the West Indies had defeated Bangladesh to tick off their first victory in the Super Eights, the West Indies captain, the greatest batsman of his time and arguably the greatest batsman of all time not only from the WestIndies but also from anywhere in the whole wide world, announced that today, Saturday, April 21, 2007, would be his last day in international cricket.

CHEATED

Although it was not totally surprising tothose close to the game, it was a shocker to most. It left many fans of the game feeling cheated, and it can be expected that the fans, and especially so the thousands of British, South African and Indian fans still in Bridgetown will turn out in their numbers to salute the champion - to see him, for the last time, hopefully parade his skill and match his talent against England's best in his bid for a West Indies victory.

A capacity crowd of some 28,000 fans is expected to pay tribute to the master batsman.

When all is said and done, however, it is still the West Indies versus England an both teams have been disappointing throughout the tournament, even though both teams are tied on four points each, neither one would like to finish in sixth position with only Bangladesh and Ireland behind them.

Barring rain and a no-result, as a one-day game, one must win and one must lose. There simply can be no stand-off and therefore no draw.

The question, therefore, is this: who will win this shoot-out between two teams who, to many, have underperformed, who are licking their wounds, and who need something to pacify their fans.

FAVOUR

With two victories in the Super Eights against one by the West Indies, the odds should favour England who, based on net run rate, are in fifth spot, and who, to their credit, also parade a solid batsman in Paul Collingwood, two exciting stroke players in Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff, and a more than useful spin bowler in left-hander Monty Panesar.

Although they are two to one up on the West Indies, however, with their two victories coming over Ireland and Bangladesh, with their victory against Bangladesh coming after a tense struggle, and after defeating Ireland in the first round, with the West Indies victory coming against Bangladesh, there is really not much to choose between the two.

After their experiences, the battering that they both have been subjected to so far this tournament, it could all come down to who is stronger mentally, and if that is so, then the winners should be the West Indies.

HOPE FOR WINDIES

While the West Indies, after rising to th and defeating Pakistan, appear a team without passion and have gone from day to day without purpose, while they appeared punch-drunk after losing to Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and South Africa, there could be hope for them - and especially so on the day they will be saying goodbye to Lara.

Not so, however, for England. They just do not seem to have it in them to perform - not even against fellow travellers like the West Indies.

Based on their performances and the results of the tournament, it should be close. It, however, should be the West Indies - especially with the match being played at Kensington Oval on a new pitch that so far has been generous to pace bowlers, especially if Daren Powell, Corey Collymore and Jerome Taylor are in the West Indies attack, and especially if Lara is in the mood to finish off a great and illustrious career in style.

The Windies certainly looked eager during their training session at Kensington yesterday morning.