Lara Hepatitis Scare After Crease Collapse

Brian Lara's first century since a career-threatening injury nine months ago ended traumatically yesterday when he collapsed at the crease and was taken to a Colombo hospital with suspected hepatitis.

Lara was clearly in some distress during a valiant innings that staved off another West Indies disaster against a Kenyan side that memorably upset them in Poona in 1996. He collapsed on one occasion, gasping for breath in the sweltering heat, and needed immediate medical attention after he was dismissed for 111 from 120 balls, his 15th one-day century.

Ricky Skerritt, West Indies' team manager, said: "When Brian came in from batting, he was in discomfort and a doctor was consulted. Brian had discoloured eyes, they were yellowy-orange, there was weakness and he was de-hydrated. Brian will spend the next 24 hours in hospital undergoing tests. At this stage the most likely diagnosis is hepatitis, but this has yet to be confirmed."

Lara has not had the best of luck with illness and injury in Sri Lanka. A sickening collision with Marvan Atapattu in a one-day international in Kandy last December left him with a broken left elbow and dislocated shoulder. Many asked whether Lara could ever regain his mastery after such an injury and, on the eve of the tournament, he said he was still suffering the psychological effects.

His presence on the tour of India next month must now be in question, although West Indies' chief concern will be that he recovers in time for next year's World Cup.