Lara ready to return

Cricket

Brian Lara has opened the door to a return to English cricket just three months after declining Warwickshire's offer of a new three-year contract. The West Indies record-breaking batsman announced in Trinidad yesterday that he is again open to offers.

"I have recharged my batteries and I'm feeling really keen and enthusiastic. If a good offer came in from an English county I'd be delighted to consider it."

Lara refused to go on the current West Indies tour of Australia in protest against a fine imposed after last year's tour of England.

In Brisbane, his erstwhile captain, Richie Richardson, made an outstanding 81 as West Indies beat Australia by 14 runs in the latest World Series match.

WORLD SERIES (Brisbane): West Indies 231 (R B Richardson 81, O D Gibson 52), Australia 217 (S G Law 62, R T Ponting 61). West Indies won by 14 runs.