We have an outside chance of reaching the last four: Lara

Georgetown, Guyana, Apr 2 (UNI) After three successive defeats in the Super Eight stages, West Indies captain Brian Lara is still optimistic of his side making it to the semi-finals.

''I am still optimistic as we have an outside chance of reaching the last four,'' Lara said in the post match press conference.

Meanwhile, their 113-run crushing at the hands Sri Lanka in front of a rare full house in the stadium, brings Lara's men a step closer to the exit door of the World Cup.

But the Caribbean skipper himself is not in a mood to give in.

''We played bad cricket. Perhaps it is the fatigue which is catching us as we have played four matches within last ten days and that is showing up,'' Lara said.

He himself scored just two before being audaciously stumped by Kumar Sangakkarra which actually turned the match decisively in favour of the Lankans.

''They played very well. We lacked energy. But now I am focused for the next match. We have nine days to regroup and I want to reassess the whole situation and see what has gone wrong in the past few games,'' the West Indian skipper said.

The skipper also defended the selection of out of form Chris Gyale as looking into his past record, he hoped that the left-handed opener would come good and score well.

Lara admitted that body language of the team went down after their first two losses and it was also not strong enough in the match against the Lankans. ''There is also a lot to do with the initial advantage. After losing the first two matches we were actually down for this match also. But I am optimistic that nine day break will give us the right approach back,'' he said.

He also praised the Caribbean fans for standing behind the team and supporting them but admitted that his team let the nation's cricket frenzy people down.

''We let them down badly and we are disappointed,'' he said.

But following their disastrous show in the Super Eights, most Caribbean fans and former players have lost faith in Lara's men and are of the opinion that the host are out the semi-final race as they face an uphill task of beating South Africa and England in the later half of the stage, which they think is quite impossible considering the team's form.

''Let's face it. That is the actual end of West Indies in their own home,'' said legendary spinner Roger Harper. West Indies is meeting South Africa and England in the latter half of the Super Eight.

UNI