Twose Favorite To Replace Lara (01 Nov 1995)

Electronic Telegraph Wednesday 1 November 1995 Cricket

Twose favourite to replace Lara

By William Gray

BRIAN LARA will not be returning to Warwickshire next season. Lara, who helped the county to a unique treble in his debut season with them in 1994, has been released from his contract because he felt unable to give the "necessary commitment".

Warwickshire, who retained the County Championship this season without Lara, when he was touring with the West Indies, reluctantly agreed to his request and will discuss the remaining two years of his three-year contract at a meeting on Nov 13. They will also draw up a short list of possible replacements as next season`s overseas player, with Roger Twose favourite.

Chief executive Dennis Amiss said: "I was optimistic that he would return but I spoke to him last night and he feels that he needs time off because of his international commitments."

Lara was brought to replace Manoj Prabakhar last year. Prabakhar withdrew through injury after agreeing to fill in for Allan Donald, who was touring with South Africa.

His signing proved inspirational as Warwickshire became the first side to win the championship, Benson and Hedges Cup and Sunday League in the same season. Lara hit a world-record 501 against Durham, five months after having broken the world Test record by scoring 375 against England in Antigua. He scored six hundreds in his opening seven championship innings, and averaged 89.82 in scoring 2,066 first-class runs.

Despite those figures, Lara may not play for Warwickshire again. Now that he has decided to take next year off, Warwickshire may dispense with his services for the remainder of the contract.

The short list of replacements will not include Donald, who has taken a coaching post at Edgbaston. He rejected an offer to play on for another season, allowing Lara a year off.

All-rounder Twose, a member of both championship-winning sides when an England-qualified player, is certain to be considered. He has become an overseas player after deciding to pledge his Test career to New Zealand.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph