'Injured' Lara under fire

West Indies captain Brian Lara has been criticised for his decision to play in a golf tournament despite pulling out of the first three one-day internationals against England through injury.

Shortly after re-writing the record books with his 400no in the fourth Test in Antigua, Lara announced he would be unavailable for the start of the one-day series because he needed to rest his dislocated finger.

But the injury has not prevented Lara from playing in the Cotton Tree Foundation's Charity Golf Tournament, currently taking place at the St Andrew's Golf Club in Trinidad and Tobago.

It is a decision that has bemused former West Indies fast bowler Colin Croft.

"Initially, I had no problem with the statement from the (West Indies Cricket) Board that Lara would not be available for the first three one-day internationals because he was resting his finger, but now instead of resting, Lara is playing golf with former West Indies players...I really don't understand that decision," said Croft.

"It sends the wrong signal. I don't know that his finger is getting the rest it needs and if he can play golf, he probably could have played in the first three ODI's."

Croft's opinion was echoed by another former Windies star, Jackie Hendricks.
He said: "I can't understand Lara's decision. I don't see how you can play golf but cannot represent the West Indies in the first three ODI International against England."

The West Indies lost the opening one-day international by two wickets in Georgetown, Guyana.