Lara tells his players to shrug off "one-day fever"

LAHORE, Nov 14 (Reuters) West Indies captain Brian Lara has urged his players to shake off their ''one-day fever'' and knuckle down to playing five days of test cricket after Pakistan crushed them by nine wickets in the first test here today.

''We have been playing two months of one-day cricket and have had just a two-day game before this switch to tests. It is tough but it is something we have to do quickly,'' Lara told a news conference.

''We have to have a professional outlook, show more determination and think about 15 sessions of test cricket. We can't allow the elements to get to us.'' West Indies suffered their 16th defeat in 23 tests despite Lara scoring his 33rd test hundred.

Their form in test cricket has not matched their performances in the one-day game, in which they made the finals of the DLF Cup in Malaysia and the Champions trophy after beating India 4-1 at home this year.

Lara said the team still had two tests to claw their way back into the series.

''Beating Pakistan at home is a tough proposition. We must remain optimistic. We have the bowlers to take 20 wickets, we just need to put enough runs on the board for them,'' he said.

Lara himself had an excellent match, returning to form with scores of 61 and 122. He said West Indies were always under pressure after being bowled out for 206 on the first day.

''The first day we didn't show enough application when it was misty and overcast and there was a bit of juice in the track.

After that it eased out.

''But we can't make excuses because in test cricket you can't expect to have things always to your liking. I enjoyed batting on it,'' he said.

Lara said that despite his century he had been disappointed not to bat for longer.

''My knock was not about winning. I wanted to bat for two days to try and get a draw. I fell short today and that is disappointing and I am sure Shiv (Chanderpaul) feels the same way.'' He refused to criticise the umpiring, which produced some controversial decisions.

''Decisions are part of the game and you have to accept them,'' Lara said. ''Some days tough decisions go against you and some days they don't.'' Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq said his bowlers had performed exceptionally well on a pitch which was good for batting.

''Umar Gul, Shahid Nazir and Danish Kaneria did well. To get them out for 200 runs on the first day was the best start we could have asked for in this game,'' he said.

REUTERS SAM BS1946