It’s official: Lara follows Sachin out of Lanka ODIs

Though named in the 13-man West Indies squad for the tour of Sri Lanka, starting with the first Test mid-July, Lara (36) would prefer to extend his Test career for as long as possible. And this was possible through a serious cutback in the number of limited-overs games he played.

Contacts in Kingston, Jamaica said that it was known back in January that Lara had become increasingly disenchanted with the limited overs game and he was rested from the three-match ODI series against Pakistan.

While Sri Lanka’s new coach Tom Moody expressed disappointment that two drawcards such as Tendulkar and Lara were not available for the triangular he was not surprised.

What is of more concern for Moody, however, are the growing fitness problems in his own camp. He has already moved team physio C J Clarke out of that position to fitness trainer and is in the process of a hiring a sports psychologist as well as a new physio.

All-rounder T M Dilshan has a shoulder injury that may need surgery, Muralitharan’s fitness battles are added concern along with those of several fast bowlers. Moody hopes to have the physio and psychologist on hand by the time the triangular series starts with matches in Dambulla. He has about three weeks to prepare the side for the Tests against the Windies.