Lara Heads to London for Medical Tests

Ailing West Indies batsman Brian Lara is expected to depart Monday for London to undergo further medical tests. And, depending on the results, Lara will then have to get clearance from his medical men in England and the WICB before he can be considered for future West Indies selection.

The world double record holder was diagnosed with a "mystery" illness believed to be a strain of Hepatitis during the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka last September and was advised by doctors there to rest from the game for six weeks.

The illness has forced the left-handed mega batsman to miss the current Test and One-Day series against India, and the forthcoming three One-dayers and two Test matches against Bangladesh due to start at the end of the month.

According to reports, Lara is feeling much better and is anxious to get back into the game, but he has to get a clean medical bill if he is to get back into competitive action.

And with Lara out of the tour of Dhaka, the former West Indies captain will now have to focus on next year's regional competition, to put himself in shape for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa in February.

But if selected on the World Cup squad, Lara will only be available for the opening match of the regional four-day competition against Guyana on January 31 at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre.

Also depending on the outcome of the medical tests, Lara will also have the opportunity to be a member of a West Indies training camp in Anguilla in December in preparation for next year?s World Cup.

Meanwhile, former West Indies Test opener and long-standing member of the regional senior selection panel, Joey Carew, believes that dropped leg-spinner Dinanath Ramnarine is still much a part of the future plans of West Indies cricket.

Ramnarine, who was omitted from the West Indies' last three tours, has been keeping himself fit in anticipation of a return to International cricket.

However, Carew said that the right-arm bowler would have to raise the level of his game a bit more.

"(Dinanath) Ramnarine has many important roles to play in the future of West Indies cricket. When the opportunity avails itself, I will hope that he makes much use of it," Carew said.

Ramnarine and recalled West Indies opener, Daren Ganga, have been preparing with the Trinidad and Tobago team at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva, for the 2003 regional series.

SOURCE: Guyana
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