By James Standley

There is no doubt Lara is one of the batting greats

Hammered by South Africa, thrashed at home by England and now struggling to subdue Bangladesh - these are not happy times for West Indies captain Brian Lara.

As a batsman, he is already one of the immortals, with 9, 710 Test runs to his credit at an average of well over 50 including a record score of 400 not out.

But as a captain Lara has not been one of the greats.

His record is modest with just three wins from 17 Tests since he began his second spell in charge in 2003.

After their humbling experiences against South Africa and England, West Indies were expected to regain some confidence by blowing away Test whipping boys Bangladesh.

But the Tigers stunned everyone by claiming a moral victory as they drew the first Test, thereby increasing the pressure on Lara.

LARA'S CAREER STATS Tests: 107 Runs: 9710 Average: 53.35 Highest: 400 not out 100s: 25 50s: 44

Bangladesh topped the 400-mark for only the second time in their history, claimed a first-innings lead for the first time and then achieved another first when they were able to declare in their second innings in St Lucia.

During the humiliating 3-0 defeat by England a number of West Indies greats called for Lara to fall on his sword, but he refused, insisting he would not quit during a series.

Former captain Richie Richardson said: "A lot of people, including I believe some senior players, are saying that his captaincy, which seems uninspiring and at times incomprehensible, is part of the problem."

But now even Lara seems to think it may be time to go, saying he would quit if West Indies failed to beat Bangladesh in the second Test of their two-match series.

"If we don't beat Bangladesh, who have not won a Test match and have drawn only three out of maybe 30, after five good days of cricket in Jamaica, I think we'll need another leader," said Lara.

LARA'S CAPTAINCY RECORD Overall: Tests: 35 Wins: 9 Current (2003-04): Tests: 17 Wins: 3

"If we don't win then I don't think I'm going to lead the team to England."

Lara has struggled to rally his team on the field but there are also problems off it.

The captain publicly berated his fellow selectors after they insisted on four pace bowlers for the first Test with Bangladesh when, faced with a slow wicket, Lara had wanted to pick a specialist spinner.

And during the South Africa series Lara appeared to over-rule Sir Viv Richards when the captain unilaterally decided to replace Adam Sanford with Mervyn Dillon just before the game began.

Lara has been criticised for tactical mistakes, aloofness from his team-mates and an inability to motivate his young team.

But if he does step down the Windies are left with a big problem - who should replace him?

Lara has won just three matches since regaining the captaincy

The veteran Ridley Jacobs has already been a stop-gap once and it may be too early to pass the burden onto current vice-aptain Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul are other alternative choices, but fail to inspire much confidence.

All of that leaves the once-great Caribbean side, now languishing eighth in the world rankings, with a major problem.

Under Lara, despite the captain's own fine form with the bat (he averages 61.72 in 35 Tests as captain), the team's long decline has continued.

The Windies arrive in England in July and although Lara's captaincy record may be poor, there is little to suggest anyone else could better in the short term.

Given that, maybe West Indies fans should be praying that they win the second Test against Bangladesh so Lara stays.

Even an unsuccessful captain is better than no captain at all.