Lara's fitness a key factor for Windies (3 March 1999)
As the West Indies players assembled in Port-of-Spain yesterday for the opening Test against Australia, captain Brian Lara's statement that he was confident of being fit for the match would have been welcomed
03-Mar-1999
3 March 1999
Lara's fitness a key factor for Windies
The Barbados Nation
As the West Indies players assembled in Port-of-Spain yesterday
for the opening Test against Australia, captain Brian Lara's
statement that he was confident of being fit for the match would
have been welcomed.
Speaking on Monday night after the 15-man squad was announced,
Lara said he was still awaiting results of tests but was hopeful
of being in top shape.
"I'm awaiting results of a scan done on my hand, but I'm feeling
good and should be ready," said the 28-year-old, who holds the
world record for the highest Test score.
He has not played competitive cricket in nearly a month since
being struck by a short ball from Jacques Kallis during the
One-Day International series against South Africa.
"About my form, I've not been playing, but I've been in the
nets, working on my game and trying to get match fit," he added.
By his own admission Lara is short of work and with such a big
assignment on Friday he will also be hoping that veteran
speedsters Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh will be ready as
they attempt to regain the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy.
The last first-class match for Walsh and Lara was the final Test
at Centurion Park, January 15-18, while Ambrose last played in
the fourth Test in Cape Town a week earlier. Ambrose played in
the One-Day series while Walsh returned home after limping off
the field in the Centurion Test.
All three missed the regional Busta Cup competition.
Both fast bowlers have been declared fit and ready but are
expected to be a little short of match practice.
Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)