Advertisement

Help
You are here: Rediff Home » India » Cricket » The Cup » Reuters > Report
Search:  Rediff.com The Web
Advertisement
  Discuss this Article   |      Email this Article   |      Print this Article

Stage set for Lara's last hurrah
Get Cricket updates:What's this?
Advertisement
April 21, 2007 12:15 IST

West Indies captain Brian Lara will play the last game of an illustrious international career on Saturday when his side takes on England in the final World Cup Super Eights clash.

Lara, who holds the record for the top Test score (400 not out) and highest first-class knock (501 not out), retires after the match and will be given a huge reception at the Kensington Oval despite the hosts' failure to reach the semi-finals.

The left-hander seems determined to go out in style and it would be no surprise if he promoted himself to his old number three slot to give him time to make one final big century.

England coach Duncan Fletcher will also be bowing out on Saturday after eights years in charge. His resignation was announced on Thursday after England were knocked out of the World Cup following some dismal displays.

England captain Michael Vaughan is looking forward to the occasion even if there is nothing riding on the match.

"Lara has been an outstanding player, I'm sure it will add to the atmosphere in the ground. It should be a great spectacle," he said. "The pressure is off but we are desperate to win the game to give Fletch a farewell."

Batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan is expected to replace Lara as captain and he will be keen to check out England ahead of the first Test between the sides starting on May 17 at Lord's.

Former Sussex coach and England academy director Peter Moores will take over from Fletcher after Saturday's match.

England may also choose to change their line-up with fringe players such as pace bowlers Stuart Broad and Liam Plunkett coming into contention.

Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and South Africa have already qualified for next week's semi-finals. The seven-week World Cup finishes with the final in Barbados on April 28.

The Cup: Complete Coverage

Would you like to join the Cricket and Cricket Lovers Discussion Group and discuss your cricket views with other cricket freaks? Click here. Have fun!


© Copyright 2007 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
 Email this Article      Print this Article

© 2007 Rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer | Feedback