Lara has turned the corner, says Dujon

The tour match at Bellerive Oval ended in a draw on Tuesday with Australia A on 210-3, an overall lead of 157. Australia A had made 439-9 declared in their first innings before the Windies recovered from a shaky start to total 492 at stumps on Monday.

“You could see Lara’s confidence coming back after the first night (when he was 62 not out) and you could almost predict what would happen next day (on Monday),” Dujon told reporters. “The better you start to feel mentally, the less your mind focuses on negative things.

“With the level of confidence he now has, mentally he’ll be more prepared to cope with his injuries. I’m not worried about him. It will be the first time he’s really looking forward to going out there.”

Lara limped out to bat at 80 for five on Sunday afternoon, obviously troubled by a hamstring injury and having been dropped down the order in the hope that he wouldn’t have to bat until Monday.

His innings blossomed the next day, at one stage taking six consecutive fours off an Andy Bichel over. He hit 40 fours and two sixes off 260 balls.

Australia, who lead the five-match Test series 2-0, have won a world record 12 consecutive Tests but go into Friday’s match without skipper Steve Waugh, who has a strained buttock muscle, while the Windies are buoyant now that Lara is back in form.

Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, 29, was named on Tuesday as Australia’s captain for the third Test with Ricky Ponting his deputy. Gilchrist is playing in only his 12th Test.

Australia will also be without exciting fast bowler Brett Lee who has a back injury.

Dujon said Lara’s heroics and wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs’ century had given the Windies an obvious boost. They shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 365.“The fielding, the body language and the better line and length bowling showed there was a confidence lift,” he said. “It augurs well for Adelaide.”

Coach Roger Harper added: “The other guys are definitely inspired.”