InMobi

Warne issues Lara SOS for Windies

King of Spin believes tourists should employ the services of the Prince of Trinidad

West Indies batting great Brian Lara has said on social media that he'd be happy to help to his former side after their crushing first Test loss to Australia in Hobart on Saturday.

But it remains to be seen if the open invitation issued by fellow legend Shane Warne is accepted by the besieged tourists.

The Windies already have their share of big names floating around the side.

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Richie Richardson is team manager, Curtly Ambrose is bowling consultant and Courtney Walsh is a tour selector.

Yet Warne reckons Lara would make a good fit after the Windies suffered an innings and 212-run loss in Hobart - their second-worst defeat to Australia in Test history.

They have plenty of time to regroup before the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne - and Warne believes Lara should be a part of it.

"Lara is in the country. They need to get him involved, spend some time with the team in Melbourne," he said during commentary on the Nine's Wide World of Sports coverage.

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Lara is in Australia after playing in a Festival of Cricket Twenty20 match in Western Australia on Friday, and he warmed to Warne's proposal via Twitter.

"I would love to .... there is some hope in what I see," Lara tweeted to Warne in response to the on-air suggestion on Saturday afternoon.

Leg-spin wizard Warne may have revelled in sending Windies batsmen to the pavilion during his glittering career but he finds no joy in their present plight.

The Windies have not won an overseas series of note in 20 years, and that dismal run looks certain to continue in Australia.

"I think world cricket needs the West Indies to be strong," Warne said. "What they bring to the table is so exciting. They play with emotion, passion and flair.

"The Windies are passionate people and they will be hurting from that loss."

Windies captain Jason Holder believes they can find inspiration from within.

He cited as examples Darren Bravo's first innings 108 in Hobart and opener Kraigg Brathwaite's 94 that dominated their blink-and-you'll-miss-it second dig of 148.

"I think you need to look at inspiring performances, like how Darren Bravo played," Holder said.

"And the way Kraigg Brathwaite played in the second innings was ... a real fighting innings.

"We just need to look at those inspiring performances, and probably look back to performances where we've done well in the past, just try to re-live those moments and bring it into this Test series."

The Windies will add at least one new face to their squad ahead of the Boxing Day Test.

They are yet to name a replacement for injured paceman Shannon Gabriel who flies home after breaking down with an ankle injury on day one in Hobart.

The Windies' only Boxing Day warm-up is a two-day clash with a Victoria Invitational XI from December 19 in Geelong.