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The cloud of doubt that has hovered over Brian Lara's right wrist for some time predictably burst here yesterday.

His absence from today's critical fifth One-Day International against Australia means that fellow left-hander Jimmy Adams will captain the West Indies for the first time.

Another cloud also burst early in the morning, bringing steady, but not heavy, rain over the capital. By mid-morning, however, the sun was out again and Bourda was a hive of activity as preparations intensified for this country's only international or first-class match this season.

It was evident from Monday when Lara left Port-of-Spain wearing a brace on his wrist, which has bothered him since the closing stages of the South African tour, that he would have been a doubtful starter.

In front of hundreds of fans, Lara cut short his practice session and chairman of selectors Mike Findlay confirmed that the captain's wrist was ``sore and painful''.

Since returning to the Caribbean from South Africa, Lara's wrist has bothered him at times, but this will be the first international match he will miss.

The promotion of Adams is significant. The 31-year-old Jamaican, who has played 37 Tests and 78 One-Dayers since coming into the team in 1992, has been favoured ahead of Courtney Walsh and Carl Hooper, Lara's deputy in South Africa and in last year's home series against England.

Adams, captain of the West Indies ``A'' team that toured South Africa in 1997, was vice-captain for the last three One-Day Internationals, but Walsh was given the job for the first match. They shared the post during the preceding Test series.

After last weekend's back-to-back matches at the Queen's Park Oval, the series is set for a fascinating tie-breaker ahead of the final two matches in Barbados.

``We need to win two games. Once we win here and win one in Barbados, we've clinched it. The main thing is to win,'' said West Indies manager Clive Lloyd.

He was, however, quick to point out that lessons needed to be learnt from the Trinidad leg of the series, especially in Sunday's match when three run-outs hurt the West Indies.

``The running for us has not been too good at times. We've had quite a few near-misses, even in the first game in Trinidad. There were times when if they (the Aussies) had hit the stumps, that would have been it.''

Lloyd said there were easy solutions to mastering the abbreviated version of the game.

``You have to get the basics right most of the time. You cannot afford to falter in any two disciplines,'' he said.

``You have got to try to be on top of your game, focus properly.''

Lloyd admitted that the experience and class of Lara would be missed, but he noted that the batting was still lengthy.

Wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs, sent in as a pinch-hitter on Sunday, will open the batting again, while Stuart Williams, a struggler both in the middle and at the top of the order, will come in at No. 8.

Lara, Nehemiah Perry, whose right index finger is still bothering him, and veteran fast bowler Curtly Ambrose are the three changes from the West Indies team for Sunday. Their places have been taken by Chanderpaul, Keith Arthurton and Hendy Bryan.

Australia were to finalise their XI after an evening practice session, but it was expected that Glenn McGrath, who sprained his ankle on Saturday, would be ruled out.

Teams:

West Indies - Jimmy Adams (captain), Sherwin Campbell, Ridley Jacobs, Carl Hooper, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Phil Simmons, Keith Arthurton, Stuart Williams, Merv Dillon, Hendy Bryan, Courtney Walsh; 12th man: Reon King

Australia (from) - Steve Waugh (captain), Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Michael Bevan, Damien Martyn, Tom Moody, Shane Lee, Brendon Julian, Shane Warne, Paul Reiffel, Damien Fleming.

Umpires - Eddie Nicholls, Billy Doctrove;
TV replays - Peter Monfort; Reserve - Clyde Duncan.

Start: 9:35 a.m.