'I'm Feeling Alright' - Lara

West Indies star batsman Brian Lara returned to Trinidad Friday night to begin six weeks of rest after doctors confirmed he has contracted hepatitis. Lara who has been ruled out of the team?s forthcoming tour of India, spent close to a week in a Colombo hospital in Sri Lanka undergoing tests.

On his quiet arrival at Piarco International Airport last night after flying for almost a day, Lara said, "I am feeling alright."

The visibly tired Lara was reluctant to be interviewed saying he just wanted to get some rest.
It was not made clear what type of hepatitis Lara had been diagnosed with, the illness varying massively in its severity.

The world and Test batting record holder will start six weeks of rest after doctors put his cricketing commitments on hold. Doctors have recommended at least two weeks of bed rest.

Lara was admitted to a Colombo Hospital on September 17, after smashing his 15th limited-over century (111) in a Champions Trophy match against Kenya.

The illness means that the champion West Indies batsman has been ruled out of the West Indies? forthcoming tour of India from October 7 to November 24 that involves three Tests and seven One-day Internationals.

The West Indies selectors have since replaced Lara with his countryman and opening batsman Daren Ganga for the tour which starts on October 9.

It's the third series in the last two years the West Indies master batsman will miss. In 2000, Lara missed the series against Zimbabwe and Pakistan at home after relinquishing the captaincy of the West Indies team.

Then he missed the tour of Sharjah against Pakistan earlier this year with an injured left elbow, which he sustained following a collision with Sri Lanka fielder Marvan Attapattu in Colombo during a One-day International match.

* SOURCE: Trinidad Guardian