Lara in Windies World Cup 15
By Tony Cozier
Stabroek News
December 28, 2002
BRIAN LARA has been given the all-clear by a London specialist to return to active cricket following three months recuperation from the illness that struck him down during the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka in September.
It means that their premier batsman will be in the West Indies 15 for the World Cup who were picked over the past two days and are expected to be announced on Monday.
West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president, Reverend Wes Hall, confirmed yesterday he had received the relevant reports from the London doctor who conducted tests on Lara late last month at the board’s behest and expense and instructed the selectors that he was available.
“Brian has done everything we have asked of him and it is good news that he’s now been cleared to start back playing again,” Hall said, adding that he had been in touch with both Lara and the specialist on the matter “on a frequent basis”.
“Brian is very keen to get back playing,” he said. “I think he realises that this may be his last chance in a World Cup and he wants to make his mark.”
Lara’s long history of keeping selectors guessing over his availability prompted suspicion over his latest condition and the lengthy silence that has accompanied it.
It was fuelled by his participation in the Barbados Open golf tournament in mid-November and his absence from Trinidad and Tobago’s trial matches for the forthcoming first-class season.
It brought an accusation from long-serving board president Alloy Lequay that he had turned his back on Trinidad & Tobago cricket and sceptical media comment.
But Hall noted that Lara could not return to full-time play until his doctor was certain he was sufficiently recovered from the illness, initially reported as “suspected hepatitis” but never officially identified.
He said Lara had started training and practice over the past week under the “watchful eye” of West Indies selector Joey Carew.
Captain Carl Hooper, fast bowler Merv Dillon and left-handed all-rounder Ryan Hinds, who all missed the recent series in Bangladesh through injury, have also all been given medical clearance, the WICB president added.
“All 30 players in the preliminary list (for the World Cup) are available for selection,” he said.
Hooper had surgery on both knees in Adelaide, Australia, earlier this month. Dillon came home following the tour of India in November with a back strain and Hinds with a foot injury.
“Carl wouldn’t be able to play right now but is on the way to recovery and should be back to full fitness well in time for the start of the World Cup (February 9),” Hall said. “Merv and young Hinds have been playing in trial matches in their territories”.
The squad of 15, along with five stand-by players, will participate in a preparatory two-week camp in Antigua prior to departure for South Africa February 1.
“I expect this will be our best prepared team for any World Cup,” Hall said. “We’ve done well in the one-day game this year and I’m very optimistic over their chances.”
