Former West Indies captain Brian Lara - file

LONDON, CMC

Retired batting star Brian Lara has again lamented the lack of support he received from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) during his tenure as captain and said such backing would be essential if future captains were to succeed.

"It (the captaincy) was tumultuous times. I think the most important thing about a leader, first of all he has got to be in charge of a very good team and the support also has to be great," Lara told Sky TV in an extensive interview this week prior to the first Test between England and West Indies at Lord's.

"There wasn't much support and I'm not afraid to say the support from the cricket board and most importantly your employer, wasn't great.

"If it is anything I would maybe like to mention to them (WICB) is that, next captain - it's Ramnaresh Sarwan at this present time - whoever it is, I think support from the board - and of the course the people - but I think if it stems first of all from the board and everyone knows they are behind that person in charge, then I think that is very important."

Despite indicating his desire to tour England with the West Indies team this summer, Lara suddenly quit international cricket following the regional side's poor World Cup performance in the Caribbean.

At that time, he endorsed Sarwan to take over the top post but said the new captain would need the necessary support.

"Whoever takes over the team, it is important that they get the support. What you see on the surface isn't everything," Lara said then.

Lara served as West Indies captain during three periods, managing very little success on each occasion. He was first appointed captain in 1998 before resigning in February, 2000, citing "moderate success and devastating failure".

In March, 2003, Lara was elevated to the post for the second time but lost out again in 2005 after failing to make himself available for selection during a bitter sponsorship row.

He took up the post last year for the final time after the resignation of Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

"Again, it was a great experience to lead the West Indies team or to lead any sporting team in the world must be an excellent moment for anyone and is something I will always cherish," Lara said.

"It might not have been the most successful and of course I have been berated so many times, but that's of little consequence now. The fact that I've had the opportunity to do so is important and again there are going to be other leadership roles in life, it's not just a cricket field I'm going to walk on as a leader, there's family life and I'm going to use my experiences."

Lara said what made leading the West Indies such a difficult job was the fact that the team comprised players from different countries. This, the 38-year old said, often led to insularity.

"It's a tough thing, coming from so many small nations in the Caribbean. When things are going well, everyone comes together. You get love from Jamaica right down to Guyana but as soon as things are not going too good, people go back into their little territory. That's unfortunate," Lara contended.

"They say that cricket is the only unifying force in the Caribbean. I question that sometimes. It can breed a lot of animosity which is unfortunate but that (cricket) is so significant in our lives - we should try as much as possible to come together."