Hepatitis May KO Lara from India Tour

Just when we all thought champion batsman Brian Lara was fully recovered and ready to terrorise international bowlers, there is depressing news out of Sri Lanka that the left-hander may miss next month's tour of India.

"Brian had discoloured eyes, they were yellowy-orange, there was weakness and he was de-hydrated," team manager Ricky Skerritt said, confirming fears that Lara actually played the one-day match against Kenya with visible symptoms of hepatitis.

Lara was admitted to a hospital in Sri Lanka with suspected hepatitis and if tests confirm the worse, he will most likely be forced to pull out of the all-important three-Test tour of India which starts on October 4.

Sources at the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) say details from Sri Lanka on Lara's condition are scarce and warned that fans should not jump to conclusions about Lara's immediate future. "He's gone to hospital for a series of tests including blood tests and they have started already. We should know more at some stage on Wednesday," Skerritt told the Reuters news agency.

Lara, who batted doggedly for a century in the Kenya match, was in visible discomfort through the innings, including times when he was seen lying on his back during breaks in play, as well as crouching with his hands on his knees. After his innings, a doctor examined the Trinidadian and suggested he be admitted for Tests

On its Web site the WICB appeared to be confirming the hepatitis suspicion by posting a link to the medical definition of the virus.

Hepatitis results in inflammation of the liver. It is caused by infectious or toxic agents and characterized by jaundice, fever, liver enlargement, and abdominal pain. It is known as infectious hepatitis, due to its ability to be spread through personal contact with oral secretions or stool. The virus can be shed in the stools of an infected individual 2-3 weeks prior to the onset of any symptoms.

West Indies captain Carl Hooper seemed resigned to the reality that his best batsman could be missing in India. "I hope it doesn't come to that because he's vital for us in India, a key figures in our side. But if it does come to that we'll have to get together to select the best possible choice," Hooper said.

"He was struggling, he was very weak...But it was important for him to stay out there for as long as possible and try and get as much as he could while he was there. It's sad but I'm happy he came through for us today. If he had retired hurt I don't think he would have come back," Hooper told Reuters.