West Indies Cricket Fans

The T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) says that anytime Brian Lara wishes to return to the national fold as a T20 player, he will be given serious consideration by the national selectors. President of the TTCB, Azim Bassarath spoke to Lara on Thursday and invited him to be part of the T20 Cricket Festival slated to begin at Guaracara Park in Pointe-a-Pierre next week. However, the batting legend had to decline the offer because of travel commitments.

According to Bassarath: “I spoke to Brian and offered him an opportunity to play in the T20 Invitational. However, he flew into Trinidad on Thursday night and said he would be off again on Monday so it will be difficult to take part in the series.” T&T, Guyana, T&T ‘A’ team and the Academy are playing a four-way series over three days at Guaracara Park starting on December 28. The winners of the tournament will walk away with $20,000 and the runners-up will take away $10,000. The series is being used as preparation for the upcoming regional T20 series.

Bassarath said with Lara now lining up for the Indian Premier League (IPL), the door is now open for him, if he wishes to play for T&T in T20 cricket. “There is only one Brian Lara in this world and if he is interested in representing T&T at T20 cricket, I am sure the selectors will be more than willing to give him a very serious look. “We decided to offer him a chance to play in the T20 Festival because we know he is about to go to the (IPL) auction block soon. We thought it would have been a good opportunity for some practice for him but circumstances did not allow for him to take part.”