Star batsman Brian Lara is to captain the West Indies in their five-Test series against England in the Caribbean.

Lara is replacing fast bowler Courtney Walsh who took over from Richie Richardson in 1996.

The selectors nominated Lara to lead the West Indies on their recent tour of Pakistan, but were overruled by the islands' cricket board.

Walsh's side suffered a humiliating 3-0 Test series loss in Pakistan, however, leaving the West Indies Board with no alternative when the selectors again proposed Lara for the captaincy.

Walsh: humiliating defeat in Pakistan

Lara has decided to return to England and his Warwickshire team in the summer.

There have been question marks over Lara's form since his record-breaking feats in 1994. His 501 against Durham at Edgbaston followed his Test match record of 375 not out against England earlier in the year.
 

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