News

Lara maintains Twenty20 comeback plans

Brian Lara still has serious ambitions of coming out of retirement to try his hand at Twenty20 and is targeting next year's fourth IPL tournament

Cricinfo staff
26-Jun-2010
Brian Lara is hoping to catch the eye of IPL franchises  •  Mid-Day

Brian Lara is hoping to catch the eye of IPL franchises  •  Mid-Day

Brian Lara still has serious ambitions of coming out of retirement to try his hand at Twenty20 and is targeting next year's fourth IPL tournament.
Lara, who is now 41, will turn out for MCC against Pakistan on Sunday, at Lord's, and it will be the first time he has played competitive cricket since being part of the rebel Indian Cricket League where he made just 31 runs at 6.20 for Mumbai Champs.
Earlier this season he was in talks about joining Surrey for their Friends Provident t20 campaign and although that move fell through he hasn't shelved his plans of cashing in on the lucrative Twenty20 game.
"I'm thinking about it," he told the Lord's website. "I would love to be a player-coach. [I was] very close to joining Surrey this season. I was disappointed the talks broke down. If I have intentions of getting back and making an impression in IPL 2011 I need to start playing now."
Lara retired before the format took off internationally and although he maintains Test cricket remains the pinnacle he is positive about the impact Twenty20 has had. "I'm from the old school, I love Test cricket and I'm very happy that was the game I made my name in, but everything in life changes," he said. "Evolution is important."
Lara has been in the nets at Lord's preparing for his MCC appearance where he will line-up alongside Sourav Ganguly in a match which is part of the club's sponsorship of Pakistan's series against Australia under their Spirit of Cricket banner.
"It has been a while since I played in a competitive match, surely I will be a bit rusty, but it's great to have on the gear again," he said.