Lara laid low

Brian Lara was in hospital here last night, anxiously awaiting the return of tests from the laboratory today that will determine whether he has been stricken with hepatitis, an infection of the liver.

The champion left-hander, the double world batting record holder, was admitted on doctor's advice after completing his 15th One-Day International hundred, a brave and critical 111, in the West Indies' victory by 24 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy match at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.

Throughout his two-and-a-half hour innings, in debilitating, 35-degree Celsius heat and high humidity, Lara was clearly in distress.

He needed repeated on-field attention from his busy, non-playing teammates and spent the duration of the second refreshment break flat on his back, heaving for breath.

When he returned to the pavilion, dripping perspiration, a doctor was called and decided to admit him to hospital.

It was the second time in nine months that Lara has been hospitalised during a tour of Sri Lanka. His left elbow was dislocated and fractured when he accidentally collided with Sri Lankan fielder Marvan Atapattu in a One-Day International last December 15.

That injury kept him out of action for four months and he still hasn't regained complete mobility in the elbow.

Manager Ricky Skerritt said there were earlier signs of his latest ailment.

"Brian has been feeling below-par for a couple of days but was well enough to take part in the game today," he said. "When he came in from batting, he was in obvious discomfort and the doctor was consulted.

"Brian will spend the next 24 hours in hospital undergoing tests," he added. "At this point, the most likely diagnosis is hepatitis but this had yet to be confirmed."

Captain Carl Hooper, who shared a 64-run stand with him, revealed afterwards that Lara never sought to retire ill.

"Rather than retiring, he decided he would play some more shots," he said. "If he'd retired, I don't think he would have come back out.

"He was very weak but it was important to stay out there for as long as possible, to get as many as he could once he was there," he said. "I'm just happy he came through for us."

When asked if the illness might eliminate Lara from the subsequent tour of India October 4 through November 30, Hooper said: "I hope it doesn't come to that. He's needed in India. He's a key figure in our side."