Lara signs as Zimbabwe 'batting consultant'

Brian Lara, the legendary former West Indies batsman, has announced that he has signed a contract to work as a batting consultant to the Zimbabwe national team. Lara will work with the team during the World Cup next year and the home series against Bangladesh in May, during which Zimbabwe will make a tentative return to Test cricket.

"It's a well-structured contract. I'm definitely looking forward to working with the team," said Lara, who was reported to have pulled out of the Stanbic Bank domestic Twenty20 competition in Zimbabwe after just three games for the Southern Rocks due to 'commitments elsewhere'.

It is as yet unclear what Lara's role with the national side will mean for Grant Flower, who was brought in to perform a combined player/batting coach role before Zimbabwe's tour of South Africa in October.