Lara to assist T&T for CLT20

Brian Lara will travel with the Trinidad & Tobago team for the upcoming Champions League T20 in India, although he will not be a formal part of the management group. Lara had performed a similar role as unofficial adviser to the T&T franchise during the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

"It's an honour to be part of the upcoming trip. I'm happy to be associated with Trinidad & Tobago's participation. We have a team that will make us proud," Lara said. "I am just going to be there, not a part of management but as a former cricketer. I am willing to lend a hand in any way I can. I hope I will have a chance to interact with the guys while in India and in whatever way I can help."

Having recently been called an instrumental adviser by West Indies limited-overs captain, Dwayne Bravo, Lara was eager to continue in such a capacity. "I have always had an open door policy and I look forward to working with you guys (the cricketers), the management, the captain, Denesh Ramdin, and all the other players."

Bravo was optimistic about Lara's role within the team: "Brian's always giving us advice as a team and individually. He also boosts my confidence as a captain and loves helping T&T cricket," Bravo had said at the recently concluded CPL.

Bravo will line up for Chennai Super Kings this edition but Lara was keen to point out that with Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, and other exciting youngsters such as Adrian Barath and Nicholas Pooran coming to the fore, he expected T&T to be competitive.