Hours before Friday's announcement by the West Indies Cricket Board that Jimmy Adams would replace Brian Lara as captain of the Test team, former fast bowler Ian Bishop was tipping opening batsman Sherwin Campbell as his replacement.

But whoever got the appointment, Bishop predicted it would be on an interim basis until Lara returned to reclaim the post.

Bishop, in Bermuda on the weekend to promote Windball cricket as a communications officer for sponsors British American, spoke of the latest developments in West Indies cricket, which saw Lara step down as captain just over a week ago and then announce he was taking a break from the game.

Bishop feels that at 30, Lara still has plenty of international cricket left in him and much more to offer in the role of captain.

"Because the team wasn't playing well while he was captain, I believe we did not see the full benefit of his abilities,'' said Bishop of his fellow Trinidadian.

"In terms of runs I know that captaincy does not affect his game, but certainly the transition period and lack of performance of the team as a cohesive unit did not allow his full potential and the team's full potential to be harnessed.

"I know it's disappointing because I believe he's a very good tactician -- the best tactician in the West Indies -- but I believe he's stepping down, at least for a while, and will take up the challenge again. I firmly believe that somewhere in the future he's going to be captain again.'' However, Bishop doesn't expect Lara to be greatly missed during the two Tests against Zimbabwe. And he hopes he will be back for the Pakistan Tests and then the tour to England.

"It allows him to step back to find the joy in his game once again, to relax and concentrate solely on what he can do for the team as a batsman,'' said Bishop, who played in 43 Tests before announcing his retirement last year.

"I don't think he is in his twilight years yet. As a batsman Clive Lloyd didn't reach his peak until 38 or 39.

"I feel that the team will benefit once he comes back and I don't feel he will be away too long.'' Added Bishop: "I feel it has come at a good time, simply because Zimbabwe are bottom of the ladder and we can mould a team now without, I hope, too much stress on winning because I think we should win.

"That will give confidence to our batsmen and bowlers and then we can go on to the tougher test which is Pakistan. And then on to England where I think Brian will be a great factor.

"I pray he is back by then because West Indies cricket needs him as a batter.

It will make for a fascinating series in England who will be tough because they are at home.'' Before Friday's appointment of Adams, Bishop tipped opening batsman Sherwin Campbell to get the nod ahead of Adams and former captain Courtney Walsh.

"He (Campbell) did it for Barbados in the final last year when they were victorious and he handled it very well,'' said Bishop.

"He was also captain of the A team two years ago to India, with myself as vice-captain. He can hold his own in the team and has the respect of everybody so he would be my personal candidate along with Jimmy and Walsh.'' Bishop backs the appointment of Roger Harper to the post of coach, even though it caused angry reaction in some parts of the Caribbean when Viv Richards, who held the position temporarily following the death of Malcolm Marshall, was overlooked.

"Roger Harper brings to the table a great knowledge of cricket and of people, which is most important,'' said the fast bowler.

"I think he will get the guys moving in a more professional direction. He has a great passion and is a strategic thinker and I believe it's a very good appointment.'' Bishop doesn't subscribe to the general feeling within the region that the team is a long way from re-establishing themselves as a power in world cricket. He sees some exciting things ahead for the team with some promising youngsters starting to break through.

"I'm very optimistic, in the next two years we're going to be getting results that people will enjoy,'' he predicted.

"I look beyond the performances, at the talent that is there, and the talent there is enormous. Where we are falling short is refining that talent.'' Bishop, still only 32, has stepped down from international cricket to concentrate on a new career.

"I'm playing club cricket at home and I'm also a selector with the national senior team and I'm also on one or two committees, giving back in terms of administration in between the job as communications officer with British American,'' he explained.

Bishop also managed the Trinidad and Tobago under-15 team last year. In all he took 161 wickets in 43 Tests, with best figures of 6-40, and played in 84 one-day internationals, claiming 118 wickets with best figures of 5-25. Bishop played his final Test against England in 1998 in Barbados.

He insisted he had no regrets in a career which had been affected by back problems about five years ago.

"No, I finished happily,'' he stressed. "I'm very happy that Trinidad cricket has been left in a state where there is good potential. "I'm just enjoying what I'm doing now and don't miss it at all.'' Ian Bishop: confident West Indies can recover quickly from their recent Test woes.