Test positive

Birmingham-Brian Lara provided more clear evidence yesterday that he has regained his craving for cricketeting success. Two days after the West Indies' innings victory over England in the first Test, team management made net practice optional for the triumphant eleven.

But Lara was among those who turned up at Edgbaston in 30 degree Celsius sunshine for a session of batting and physical training. It was a conspicuous departure from the norm.

The gifted left-hander has seldom placed much store on practice and, in more recent times would more likely have chosen a relaxing round on the famous and nearby Belfry Golf Course than a few hours in the nets at the Test ground.

He acknowledged last week that his break of four months from the game had had a rejuvenating effect. It was a complete lay-off and he had only one practice session at the Queen's Park Oval nets prior to leaving for the current tour.

He predictably took a little time before finding his touch again, dismissed for 1, 1, 0 and 11 in his first four innings. His 176 against Zimbabwe at Arundel ten days ago heralded the return to his best and he followed it with a classy 50 in the Test.

The next Test is at Lord's and is of historical significance. It is the 100th Test on the game's most famous ground and the 50th anniversary of the West Indies first victory in England there in 1950.

Special events

A host of special events are planned. The surviving members of both teams will be feted and honoured. Lara is aware enough to want to grace the occasion with a performance that will be historic in itself. He is preparing himself for it.

He was joined at the nets yesterday by, among others, captain Jimmy Adams.

Adams' presence was no surprise. It was indicative of the work he has always felt necessary for his personal performance, a philosophy he has passed on to his team.

Corey Collymore, who has carried a right shoulder strain since the match against Zimbabwe preceding the first Test, has been scheduled for a fitness test but trainer Ronald Rogers deemed he was not yet ready for such a workout.

The 23-year-old Barbadian fast bowler is now unlikely to play in the next match against another touring team in England, New Zealand 'A', at Chelmsford starting tomorrow.

It is the last first-class match before the Lord's Test which begins on June 29. That will be immediately followed by the triangular One- Day series and if Collymore is not chosen for that, his next opportunity would not be until July 24 in a first-class match against either Northamptonshire or Yorkshire.

After his long lay-off because of a back injury last year, his latest misfortune has been most untimely.