DRAINED West Indian captain Richie Richardson appeared to hint at his own dismissal in Jaipur yesterday after his side's World Cup nightmare. An emotional Richardson, whose side crashed to one of the greatest shock defeats of the tournament's 21-year history last week by losing to Kenya, said: "If it's time for someone to take over. I don't have a problem with that."

His bombshell came on the eve of his men's crucial tie against Australia today a game which the West Indies must win to make sure of reaching the quarter-finals. But it seems inconceivable that the West Indian management would consider a change at this crucial stage of the event.

Richardson apologised to West Indian fans before comparing the "nightmare" campaign to a family bereavement. "I know the people at home are hurt and disappointed. We deserve it because we have not played well in this tournament," he said. "We are very sorry for what has happened and we are as disappointed as our followers are.

I've never felt as bad as when we lost to Kenya on Thursday. I lost my mother a few years ago and that was awful. But this was terrible as well."

The 33-year-old Antiguan, clearly in the worst possible mental state to take on the tournament favourites, went on: "We are in a deep hole. We are a bit low on confidence and it will take a great effort to get ourselves back again. Since we lost the home series against Australia, we've been struggling.

He argued he was not the only man to blame, despite the constant criticism of his lack of leadership.