West Indies captain Brian Lara believes his team have the ability to reach at least the semi-finals at the 2007 World Cup which gets underway on home soil next month.

Lara claims that the West Indies, who won the first two tournaments in 1975 and 1979, have their best chance yet to add a long-awaited third title.

"We are looking to get to the semi-finals and then take it from there," said Lara, who was forced to sit out his home island of Trinidad and Tobago's domestic championship final win over Barbados at the weekend because of a knee injury.

"We have a very good record at home, and the players are really looking forward to this major event. We have a fit team that is ready to go. We have the ingredients to do well.

"We will be together for a few days before the World Cup gets going. It's the greatest tournament in the West Indies, and we are looking forward to doing very well."

West Indies have been drawn in Group D alongside Pakistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe in the first round of the World Cup and will face the Pakistanis in their opening game on March 13 at Sabina Park here.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)