Lara and Sarwan cutting it close

Still recovering from their differing injuries, Brian Lara and Ramnaresh Sarwan are unlikely to get back into Busta Cup cricket for at least another three weeks.

Both are hoping to return for the last two matches, West Indies selector Joey Carew said yesterday after speaking to both players the past few days. That's cutting it fine before the first Test [against India].

The series of five Tests against India starts at Bourda in Guyana on April 11. The last round of the Busta Cup is from March 8 to 11 with semifinals March 15-18 and the final March 22-25.

Both Lara and Sarwan missed the West Indies' recent series against Pakistan in Sharjah after dominating the batting in the three Tests in Sri Lanka late last year.

Brian said he was waiting for clearance from his doctor and physiotherapist before he resumes practice although he has been exercising physically, Carew said.

The star left-hander dislocated and fractured his left elbow last December 15 during a One-Day International in Sri Lanka.

Carew said he spoke to Sarwan when he was in Georgetown for last weekend's match between Guyana and Bangladesh 'A' and was told the classy 21-year-old right-hander was still feeling a little pain in his back.

It is a complaint that has bothered Sarwan since July.

He reported that he is receiving treatment regularly and that the back is responding, Carew added. He's looking at another two to three weeks before he gets back into playing again.