Lara backs Windies to be threatening in upcoming WC despite recent off-field troubles

West Indies legend Brian Lara is of the opinion that the squad remains a cricket team to be feared in the upcoming Cricket World Cup, despite their recent off the field turbulence.

Lara listed world-class players Sunil Narine, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Dwyane Bravo and Dwayne Smith to highlight the obvious firepower that still exists in Caribbean cricket.

However, the former batting star acknowledged that unlike T20 cricket, individual brilliance is often not enough in the 50-over format and particularly on foreign soil, News.com.au reported.

Lara said that it's nice to have the stars but admitted that one has got to have guys who are going to be making little contributions, or maybe big contributions at times, when they need to, and sort of unify them and get it going.

He said that he just saw the rankings on TV and in the one-day game they are just above Bangladesh and Zimbabwe as well, so he added that it's hard to say that they're one of the favourites.

Lara added that Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar said that West Indies is a dark horse, adding that they are always going to be a dark horse because they have got players that are matchwinners.