Lara fires double century
The enigmatic Brian Lara exploded into a double-century of runs on Monday, showing he still has a magic bat but doing little to dispel the mystery of his hamstring injury.
Lara, after a string of first-class failures on the Australian tour and despite hurting his shoulder in the course of his innings, smacked 231 for the West Indies against Australia A.
It was an innings of the highest quality against Australia's second-string bowling -- a feast of audacious stroke play.
Yet this was the player whose hamstring defies specialists' predictions of rapid cure, whom coach Roger Harper the previous evening was only hoping would be fit for Friday's Third Test, and was so indisposed Sunday that he didn't come in until the Windies were reeling at 80 for five.
By the time he was out, in the last over before tea, he and Ridley Jacobs (131) had put on 365 runs for the sixth wicket and ensured that, barring an imaginative declaration, the match will peter out into a batting practice draw Tuesday.
The West Indies were bowled out for 492 in the last over before stumps in reply to Australia A's 439 for nine declared.
Normally century-makers, let alone double centurions, talk to the media at the end of the day.
Lara refused, letting his bat and on-field demeanour do the talking.
However the West Indies team physiotherapist Ronald Rogers said in a statement that Lara had strained his left shoulder muscle while attempting a hook shot.
Rogers said Lara's hamstring had not hampered him during the innings, but would continue to be monitored.
"With treatment during the remainder of the week, Brian should be fine to take his place in Friday's Test," he said.
Lara looked physically uncomfortable early in his innings Sunday, but batted with more freedom Monday.
While he sometimes limped a little between the action, there was nothing wrong with his footwork and he occasionally sprinted between wickets.
Not that he had to often. His 342-minute innings contained an extraordinary 40 fours, one five and two sixes.
His progress from 100 to 150 contained only three runs which weren't boundaries, a period that encompassed his most savage assault in which he hit an over from Test paceman Andrew Bichel for six fours, all but one of them authentic strokes that went exactly where he intended.
Australia A captain Damien Martyn said there was "definitely something wrong" with Lara physically. But he's great to watch if you're not the fielding captain, he's a class player," Martyn said.
Mail Cricket Editor
