Viv: Lara is class apart

Richards: England's bowlers are happy he has retired

West Indies legend Sir Vivian Richards believes Brian Lara will be the key factor in ensuring they keep their record of not having lost a Test series in England since 1969.

The left-hander opted out of the last two Caribbean series against Zimbabwe and Pakistan and only agreed to make himself available for the tour at almost the 11th hour.

He made only two runs in his first three innings on tour but bounced back by scoring a magnificent century against Zimbabwe at Arundel on Saturday.

Richards is confident he can maintain that form during the forthcoming Tests against England, the first of which starts at Edgbaston on Thursday.

"We are in a sort of touch and go situation and I think it's going to be a great series for the two teams. I also believe there is going to be one individual that's going make a hell of a difference to this team," he told Radio 5 Live.

"I believe in this individual as a batsman. He's a magnificent cricketer. I'm quite certain a lot of people must have been worried about that start he had.

Peak

Lara: The heir to King Viv's batting throne

"But this is what all great men do. You give him a little look-in early on and then when it's about time for you to peak, you peak. The ones who peak early are the ones who fade too, I guess.

"I hope that what we have just seen with Brian getting some runs is going to last for the series."

Richards was a member of the West Indian side which won four successive series in England between 1976 and 1988, with a record of 13 victories, seven draws and no defeats.

He made his final tour to England in 1991, a series which ended in a 2-2 draw.

"I think maybe the England camp must be thinking this is the perfect opportunity for them to succeed in beating the West Indies in a series. But how long have you been saying this? Ever since I was playing actually," Richards said.