Lara looking for senior players to come up trumps

West Indies captain Brian Lara is looking for much improved performances from his senior players to prevent Bangladesh taking another big scalp in their World Cup clash starting in Bridgetown, Barbados, later tonight (Australian time).

With both sides having failed to make the semi-finals, the match is relatively meaningless in the context of the tournament but having already beaten India and South Africa, Bangladesh will fancy their chances again.

The West Indian side has faced heavy criticism in the Caribbean for their dismal displays in the second-stage Super Eights where they have lost to Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and South Africa.

"We have been disappointing in the first four games of the second round but a team like Bangladesh, for them, every game against a Test-playing nation is a big opportunity," said Lara.

"We are aware of that and we are going to come out hard and give our very best."

Lara was particularly keen to see his senior players finally produce performances to match their reputations.

"Including myself, we haven't been performing like the senior players for other teams," he said.

"If you look at Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand they are guided by their senior players.

"We wanted to produce more, we all know the importance of the likes of Chris Gayle and myself and players who have played in excess of 100-150 one-day internationals."

After facing Bangladesh, West Indies finish off their campaign against England at the weekend, also at the Kensington Oval.