Hamstring forces Lara to take rest

The lefthander hasn8217;t played since missing the West Indies8217; only victory in the triangular One-Day series against England at Trent Bridge last week.

Manager Ricky Skerritt confirmed it was only a precautionary measure and there was no threat to Lara8217;s chances of playing in the all important third Test at Old Trafford starting next Thursday.

8220;We didn8217;t want Brian to aggravate the injury. He was complaining of some tightness in his right hamstring,8221; Skerritt told AP. 8220;It was only a precaution. He will be fit in time for the third Test.8221;

With left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul ruled out of the third Test with a torn tendon in his right arm every measure will be taken to get Lara fit for the second half of a Test series tied 1-1 after the first two games.

The West Indies8217; form had hit a new low after it was bowled out for 54 in the second Test at Lord8217;s and then beaten by a narrow two-wicket margin.

The once unofficial World champions in both Test and One-Day cricket then suffered the ignominy of being beaten by Zimbabwe three times during the One-Day series and only restored some lost pride with a victory after being eliminated from the final.

Lara responded to acupuncture treatment earlier this weekand appeared to be recovering well. He was scheduled to play in a charity match to honour the late West Indies fast bowler Malcolm Marshall in London on Thursday but had to pull out.

Chanderpaul, who missed the entire triangular One-Day series, has been asked by a specialist to rest his troublesome arm for at least another two weeks.

He first damaged his elbow during the 73 in West Indies8217; innings and 93-run beating of England in the first Test at Edgbaston. Desite not fully recovered, the left-hander was forced to play in the tourists8217; narrow two-wicket defeat in the second cricket Test at Lord8217;s.

Chanderpaul hasn8217;t played since scoring 22 and 9 in the second Test at Lord8217;s.