Confident Lara Back To Crease (06 Jan 1996)

Electronic Telegraph Monday 8 January 1996

Confident Lara at the crease after Trinidad recuperation

By David Renwick in Port of Spain, Trinidad

BRIAN LARA returned to cricket after his much-publicised rest when he turned out in the Trinidad and Tobago trials for the Red Stripe Cup, the West Indies` first-class championship, which starts on Jan 26.

Lara seemed unaffected by the controversy that followed his sudden withdrawal from the World Series one-day tournament in Australia and predicted the West Indies could still win the World Cup.

The left-hander was clearly expecting to play in the World Cup next month, having already been included in the provisional squad.

Lara was confident about his form, despite his withdrawal from cricket for the last six weeks. He said he did not expect to be "rusty" on his return to the West Indies team, predicting he would score runs "immediately".

During the trial matches for the Trinidad and Tobago team he scored 119 in one match and only 29 in another.

Lara and other West Indies players will be available for the first two Red Stripe matches before they leave for the World Cup on the Indian subcontinent in a month`s time.

He said he was convinced that the future of West Indies cricket was in good hands, because of the calibre of the young players coming up. "For the first time in many years, I`m seeing some tremendous talent, some as young as 16," he said.

He added, with an eye to the future: "I have recharged my batteries and I`m feeling really keen and enthusiastic. If a really good offer came in from an English county, I`d be delighted to consider it."

Lara refused to go to Australia in protest against a fine imposed by the West Indies` cricket board.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (http: www.telegraph.co.uk)