Lara was last of the great Caribbean lineage: Lance Gibbs

Bridgetown, Barbados, Apr 11 (UNI) Brian Lara's decision to quit the limited form of cricket, not unexpected though, was received with a tinge of melancholy by the former West Indian great Lance Gibbs who called it the ''end of the great Caribbean lineage''.

Lara, after apologising to the Island nations as well as fans, told media in Grenada last night that he would be retiring from ODIs after the World Cup.

Legendary spinner Lance Gibbs told UNI that he was expecting a decision from Lara.

''However when it came finally, I was bit sad. After all he seems to be last of the great West Indies lineage,'' he said.

''But I am confident that more Lara will appear soon,'' he was quick to add.

Lara had said that the matches against Bangladesh and England would be his last following team's loss to South Africa yesterday.

For the West Indian fans, already dejected after team's poor show, this was a body blow.

''This is twin tragedy. West Indies is out of the Cup and now he (Lara) is also gone. I thought he will just quit from captaincy,'' said one Richard Gomez, who flew in from Dominica for the final leg of the tournament.

UNI