Lara not playing in Dhaka match

Former West Indies captain Brian Lara has extended his break from cricket to all forms of the game.

The left-handed batting star has decided not to appear in the gala One-Day match between the World XI and an Asian XI in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Sunday, April 9.

When asked yesterday of his availability for Dhaka, he said his correspondence would be handled by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

Late in the evening a board official said the WICB had received verbal confirmation from the double world-record holder that he would not be leading the World XI which includes a number of the game?s leading players.

There was, however, no word on whether fast bowler Curtly Ambrose, the other West Indian in the team, would make himself available.

Meanwhile, Lara spent yesterday relaxing and hitting another six-under-par 66 on Day 2 of the Royal Westmoreland Barbados 2000 Golf tournament.

He played alongside Joe McDermott, a senior professional from Ireland, and Martin Johnson, one of the celebrity amateurs.