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Monday, Jul 02, 2007
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Lara not missing international cricket

London: Legendary batsman Brian Lara has put to rest all speculation regarding his return to international cricket by categorically ruling out a comeback to the top level of the game.

The former West Indian captain surprised everyone by announcing his retirement from international cricket following his team’s early exit from the World Cup in the Caribbean.

“My teacher said 20 something years ago that I was going to miss school. I did not, and I’m not missing cricket,” the 38 year-old said on the sidelines of Wimbledon tennis championships. “I’ve had 17 years of international cricket. I’ve enjoyed it and that’s enough,” he was quoted as saying by the ‘BBC’.

Lara, who scored almost 12,000 runs in 131 Tests and over 10,000 in 299 one-day internationals, however, did not rule out a comeback in the $ 1 million Twenty20 Indian Cricket League or in English county cricket. “I’m still capable of playing the game, so I wouldn’t say I’ve hung up my boots... I can still play cricket. At what level, I don’t know,” he added.

Administrative role

Lara also said he wanted to play an administrative role to help his ex-teammates recapture lost glory. “The infrastructure and what’s necessary to produce good cricket is not there in the West Indies. I’m interested in what we are doing at the grassroots level and I don’t see anything in that direction,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who is the coach or who is playing — if the infrastructure isn’t there, you’re not going to produce the cricket you want to see,” he added. — PTI

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