Lara has played throughout the series with a thumb injury

A 30-run defeat in Perth cost them a place in the VB Series finals but Lara said: "It was a learning experience.

"It was the first opportunity for our new coach [Bennett King] to see us play. I'm sure he's going to have new ideas and new plans."

He added: "We enjoyed playing in front of the Australian crowd. Unfortunately, we couldn't go any further."

The tour, which only involved one-day matches, brought a single international victory, over Pakistan, and four defeats.

We've got Test cricket in just under two months time and I want to be fully fit Brian Lara

Despite allowing Pakistan to reach 307 on Tuesday, the Caribbean side were well-placed at 194-3 in the 33rd over.

But Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul fell in quick succession to leave the lower order battlin in vain.

"We were well-placed with Sarwan and Chanderpaul batting," said Lara.

"We had time and just needed to keep going at a run a ball and wait until later on."

Lara played through the pain of a wrist injury for much of the tournament, and is grateful for a eight-week rest before the home series against South Africa begins.

"We've got Test cricket in just under two months time and I want to be fully fit for it," he said.

"I'm sure the right medication and the right rest will be implemented."

The West Indies Cricket Board, meanwhile, have confirmed the resignation of coaching manager Darren Holder after only eight months in the job.

The Australian has decided to return home for personal reasons.

"Darren had begun to make his presence felt and it is a pity we should lose his services at this time, but we fully understand and support the young man's decision," said WICB chief executive Roger Brathwaite.