Lara may face rap over row

Cricket

The talented but temperamental world record-breaking batsman, Brian Lara, may be summoned before the West Indies Board of Control's disciplinary committee after an altercation with the West Indies' trainer, Dennis Waight.

Fellow passengers alleged that Waight, an Australian, and Lara were involved in a heated exchange on the plane journey from India to London after the World Cup. Waight has trained the West Indies since 1978.

Lara has been embroiled in more than one controversy over the past year, when his status as a likely future West Indies' captain has been undermined. He incurred a fine for breaches of discipline during the 1995 tour of England and then withdrawing from the subsequent World Series in Australia.

The Trinidadian left-hander has pulled out of tomorrow's one-day friendly against New Zealand in Kingston, Jamaica, because of a niggling knee injury. The new West Indies' captain, Courtney Walsh, who has a mild dose of influenza, has also withdrawn from the match and will not play in Tuesday's first one-day international against the New Zealanders.

The Barbadian all-rounder Ottis Gibson has been ruled out of the series because of a groin injury which restricted his appearances in the World Cup.

Walsh has called on his predecessor, Richie Richardson, to rescind his decision to retire from international cricket. Richardson resigned as the West Indies' captain during the World Cup, and also said he would not be playing any further international cricket.

"At the time he made the announcement he had a lot on his shoulders. He has had a few days away and can sit back and decide what he wants to do," Walsh said. "I would love to have him around for some time, to have his experience in the batting. I think he has a lot more to offer to West Indies' cricket."