This was confirmed by West Indies Test selector, Joey Carew, who said that the West Indies Cricket Board has given permission for Lara, fast bowler Mervyn Dillon and World Cup standby Daren Ganga to appear in the 74th edition of the North/South Classic.

A former Trinidad and Tobago captain, Carew, told Chronicle Sports yesterday that the trio of Lara, Dillon and Ganga will now join the two-week training camp in Antigua next Monday.

The training camp, which starts on Sunday, is being held ahead of the 2003 World Cup tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya in February.

Lara, the world’s double record holder for the highest individual innings in Test and First-Class cricket has not been in competitive action since September.

Lara contracted a ‘mystery’ illness during the International Cricket Council Champions Trophy tournament in Sri Lanka, and was only given the medical green light by doctors in London two weeks ago. Since then, the 33-year-old left-handed batsman has been doing light training, coupled with a few net sessions at the Oval in Port of Spain under the supervision of Carew.

Dillon was forced to miss the final two matches of One-Day Internationals against India and two-Test and three ODIs against Bangladesh with a foot injury.

Lara and Dillon were originally included in the North team but were omitted by the selectors, headed by former West Indies Test fast bowler Anthony Gray, when it was learnt that they will be available only for the first two of the four-day match.

But Carew and other members of the selection panel decided it was in the players’ best interest that they get some competitive action, and went to the WICB for permission.

“We want the players to get the feel of competitive action, which is an important part of their World Cup preparation. I am thankful to the regional board for their wise decision,” Carew stated.

And despite contrary reports, re-called pacer Nixon McLean will take part in the training camp and the World Cup tournament with the West Indies team.