Blitz of '86 could inspire wounded Windies

But the sight of this most intimidating of cricketing figures staring out as another Test unfolds will bring back memories of the time he dominated England in a way that was exceptional even by his standards.

West Indies were heading for a second consecutive whitewashing of their oldest rivals when Richards strode to the middle of the Recreation Ground - his home ground - in 1986 and proceeded to club the fastest century in Test history.

Against an attack led by Ian Botham he needed just 56 balls to reach three figures, smashing six sixes and seven fours along the way.

Perhaps a sports psychologist would recommend showing that innings to the current West Indian team in the buildup-to this Test. One thing's for sure, it wouldn't take long.

Alternatively, if time is not pressing, they could watch a re-run of Brian Lara's then world-record innings of 375 against England at St John's in 1994.

But perhaps the most relevant piece of statistic-shattering history - and the one Vaughan and Co will be particularly aware of - comes from just a year ago.

Australia, like England, were 3-0 up going into the Antigua Test. After three innings, they had every chance of making it 4-0. But, set a never before achieved target of 418, West Indies astounded everyone by nipping across the finishing line with three wickets to spare.

The question this time, though, is not whether England might subconsciously ease off the gas but do West Indies possess enough collective spirit to finish with a real fight.

There is no need to ask just how much defeats in Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados have hurt the public in this part of the world.

People may have an increasing interest in basketball and football in the Caribbean, but, don't worry, cricket remains their true sporting passion.

They talk about the game constantly, their newspapers - from front page to back and most of the inside as well - are almost entirely devoted to it, and every radio phone-in covers just one subject.

As Nasser Hussain says: "It's a bit like India - cricket is in their blood - so I take no pleasure in seeing them at a low point. There's no laughing at them or talking about payback time. There's just a bit of pride that for once all the pressure is on them."

What we don't know - really know - is whether these West Indies players are bleeding or merely looking forward to when the series ends.

In Richards, captain Lara and coach Gus Logie, they are led by three men who have said a fair amount over the past few weeks but have managed to change very little.

Richards spoke this week about "individuals who are just performing to keep their heads above water". He went on to say: "This is not the package we are looking for and in my view that's a very selfish sort of thing.

"We are looking for winners. What we need is a collective unit where we can have individuals who are clear thinkers of what needs to be done and to work around how it should be done."

The end result, though, was just one change to the squad beaten in Barbados.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, whom the selectors felt had looked tired and lethargic, was left out in favour of uncapped Antiguan Sylvester Joseph. Hardly a cull.

But it is Lara's future that is of the utmost interest.

"That lad could quite easily stroll out at Antigua and get a double hundred, if not more," said Hussain.

And so he could, despite scores to date of 23, 0, 0, 8, 36 and 33.

But only something like that, plus a West Indies victory, might prolong his second term as captain. "I have another Test to focus on so the time for assessing my position is not now," said Lara. "Assessment time will come."

Soon, very soon, one suspects.