Sport - Cricket

Injured Lara to miss series

CHANDIGARH: Brian Lara, the biggest ‘catch’ of the Indian Cricket League will miss the ongoing Edelweiss 20s Challenge here due to injury.

According to Kiran More, ICL’s Executive Board member, Lara fractured his left forearm in Trinidad. “Lara is unfit and will miss this series,” confirmed More and revealed that Lara accompanied the team to New Delhi where “physio ruled out his participation.”

In Lara’s absence, New Zealand’s Nathan Astle has taken over the captaincy of Mumbai Champs.

Later, a statement attributed to Danny Redrup, the physiotherapist of Mumbai Champs, said, “Lara was hit on his left forearm when playing for Trinidad and Tobago six week ago. He sustained a substantial distal alna fracture which in some cases requires surgery. His arm was placed in a cast for five and a half weeks.

“An X-ray taken in New Delhi showed slow but aligned healing. Due to the extent of the structural damage, Lara is still in significant discomfort when holding his bat. It is predicted that another 2 to 4 weeks will be required for appropriate healing to facilitate some batting practice. Hence Lara won’t be able to play in this tournament.”

It may be recalled that Lara was the biggest disappointment in the inaugural edition held here in November-December last year. The former West Indies captain batted four times and aggregated just 16 runs off 24 deliveries. In the fifth game, the only match which Mumbai Champs won, Lara did not bat.

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