Lara struggles for Cup fitness

He has received medical advice which suggested he was unwise to play in the first four games of the seven-match One-Day tournament, which followed the series of four Tests, and seems unlikely to play in the two final One-Day Matches in Barbados as a result.

Kallicharran to stay

NAIROBI: Alvin Kallicharran is expected to continue as Kenya’s coach after next month’s World Cup.

Kenya Cricket Association (KCA) chairman Jimmy Rayani said yesterday that the former West Indies batsman had provisionally agreed to accept an intended extension to his contract.

“Alvin has been around for a year. We want him to stay for another two to three years,” said Rayani.

Kallicharran’s training methods have been severely criticised by some of Kenya’s top players, notably vice-captain Maurice Odumbe.

Odumbe was fined 75,000 shillings (US $1,153) and threatened with suspension by the KCA for claiming Kallicharran had little coaching knowledge.

As the row threatened to damage Kenya’s World Cup preparations, Odumbe and Kallicharran issued a weekend statement denying any rift. They said they were friends.

UCB free Pybus

EAST LONDON (SOUTH AFRICA): New Pakistan assistant coach Richard Pybus says Pakistan and South Africa will be among the favourites for next month’s World Cup in England.

Pybus leaves South Africa on Friday after resolving a dispute with United Cricket Board managing director Ali Bacher, who said it would be wrong in principle for a coach with a leading South African team to link up with one of the country’s main World Cup rivals.

Bacher said, though, that he hoped Pybus would consider it the right thing if he did not get involved in any detailed strategic planning if Pakistan play against South Africa.

Pybus, 34, said the major strategy of the Pakistan team would be decided by coach Javed Miandad, captain Wasim Akram and the players. “My job is to help with specific aspects of the team’s preparations, such as fielding drills and other areas where I can relieve some of the pressure on the chief coach.”

His contract is for the two months of the World Cup. Although his job starts officially on May 1 he expects to meet up with the team soon after they arrive in England next Wednesday.

Prevention’s better

GEORGETOWN (GUYANA): Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has said that avoiding the seductive Caribbean party scene was a small price for the team to pay in their quest to lift the World Cup.

Ponting’s last visit to a nightclub in Sydney in January ended with him being involved in a drunken brawl.

He was subsequently banned for two games and ordered to see a counsellor about his drinking problem.

Ponting, speaking ahead of today’s fifth One-Day match against West Indies, said the Australian squad had keenly observed a self-imposed midnight curfew which had been in place throughout the current Caribbean tour.

“It’s only one little commitment…Not much of a sacrifice to make,” said Ponting.

The 24-year-old Tasmanian is likely to be a key component of Australia’s World Cup squad. He is expected to vie with South African Jonty Rhodes for the title of World’s Best Fielder during the tournament beginning next month.

Hollioake determined

LONDON: Surrey captain Adam Hollioake has vowed not to let any obstacles faze his World Cup starting line-up bid — after rain yesterday dashed his hopes of reminding the selectors of his capabilities.

A torrential downpour left the Worcester ground awash on the opening day of the County Championship fixture with Surrey and play was called off at lunch — but Hollioake is determined not to be wound up by such setbacks.

The Surrey skipper said: “You could look at my situation and say a few runs and wickets might help my World Cup hopes, but there is no point in getting frustrated about things you have no control over.”

Hollioake is philosophical about being axed by England skipper and Surrey team-mate Alec Stewart in Sharjah, where England failed to qualify for the final. He said: “Alec Stewart had a decision to make and he took it. I would never hold that against a captain or a manager.”