Lara finds his old form to boost tourists

Cricket

Brian Lara at last rediscovered his best form on the tour of Australia as the West Indies rallied on the second day of their four-day match against Victoria in Wangaratta yesterday.

The tourists were 319 for 5 at stumps in reply to Victoria's first innings total of 354, with Lara's 86 from 70 balls the best batting spell of the day, though his dismissal left West Indies' officials upset.

Lara was given out hit wicket before tea off the bowling of David Saker, but the tourists said he should have been ruled not out because he hit his wicket when he set off for a run rather than when playing the shot. "I hope this is the last piece of bad luck I can have on this tour," Lara said afterwards with admirable diplomacy. His innings featured a 22-ball spell in the middle session when he smashed his way from 43 to 86.

He was particularly harsh on the Victorian leg-spinner Brad Stacey, taking 33 off two of his overs with eight fours and a single. The opener Sherwin Campbell made 80 while Carl Hooper scored 49.