The reinstated West Indian captain Brian Lara yesterday apologised for the delayed start of the three-month tour of South Africa.

"Sorry to the people of South Africa for the delay in coming to South Africa. We're here to play cricket. It's important to our country; it's an important tour, a Test series, and we're looking forward to giving it 100 per cent."

Lara was speaking in Johannesburg when he and his team finally arrived from London after striking a late-night deal with the West Indies Cricket Board, ending a pay dispute that had led to his sacking and that of his deputy Carl Hooper.

He steadfastly fended off questions on the deal, saying it was a private matter between the board and the players. "The West Indies Cricket Board and the West Indies players have had a discussion, and that discussion is totally confidential," he said. "No one would like to start a tour that is originally to start on November 2nd on November 9th, and I'm sure all parties involved do regret that situation," he added.

Lara and Hooper were sacked after failing to turn up in South Africa last week and apparently demanding higher match fees. They were backed by their team-mates, who refused to tour without them.

After a week of wrangling, West Indies Board president Patrick Rousseau said on Monday night that a deal had been struck, including the reinstatement of Lara and Hooper, and that the tour was on again. Dr Ali Bacher, managing director of the United Cricket Board of South Africa, teamed up with Rousseau to end the impasse.