Kingston (Jamaica), March 24 (IANS-CMC) West Indies captain Brian Lara has expressed satisfaction after his team ended their World Cup group stage campaign with a 100 percent winning record.

The hosts completed an easy eight-wicket victory over Ireland at Sabina Park on Friday to top Group D with a maximum six points.

"I thought we played solid cricket throughout the three games," Lara told reporters.

"It was a pretty tough group. Ireland played good cricket. Zimbabwe thought they had a chance at some point.

"We were very consistent. We're building to the point where we want to get onto the bigger games, the Australians, the South Africans, the biggest teams in the tournament. So far we've performed really well. I'm proud of the guys."

The win over Ireland was convincing in comparison to their six-wicket victory against Zimbabwe when they achieved a target of 203 with 13 balls to spare.

Set 190 in 48 overs after Ireland made 183 for nine in a match where 70 minutes were lost to rain in the first innings, West Indies triumphed with 9.5 overs remaining, on the back of an unbeaten 102 from Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

"It is coming together. Everyone had an opportunity. They've been teams where players haven't had an opportunity because they were so good," Lara said.

"All of our batters had a hit. We got our seven bowlers having an opportunity. It is good for us, but it is now for us to go out there and be more convincing.

"It is now for us to take hold of the situation like Chanderpaul did today with the bat. I'm really comfortable with the guys in the field. We just need to up the ante a little bit with the bat in hand."

West Indies face Australia in the first match of the Super Eights on Tuesday at the new Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

The two points they earned from their victory against Ireland will go forward to the next round.

"We considered this game a Super Eight game. The win was important as well as ensuring that we had a very good run-rate at the end of it," Lara said.

"We are heading into the second round feeling very comfortable and we will be picking up some momentum.

"I know it is a different class of opponents in the next game on Tuesday, but we've played well against Australia in the recent past and we expect to do well if we play to our strengths."