Lara ruled out from ICL's rest of the tournament

New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) Star batsman Brian Lara has been ruled out of the Indian Cricket League's Edelweiss 20s Challenge due to a forearm injury which he sustained six weeks ago.

In his absence, former New Zealand opener Nathan Astle will lead the Mumbai Champs in the ongoing Twenty20 tournament.

Lara injured his forearm while playing for Trinidad and Tobago and now has his left forearm in a cast.

Mumbai Champs physiotherapist Danny Redrup has said that Lara sustained a substantial distal ulna fracture which in some cases requires surgery.

''His arm was placed in a cast for five-and-a-half weeks. An X-ray taken in New Delhi showed slow but aligned healing.

''Due to the extent of the structural damage, Lara is still in significant discomfort when holding his bat. It is predicted that another two to four weeks will be required for appropriate healing to facilitate some batting practice,'' Redrup said.

Mumbai Champs, which took the field without Lara in yestrday's match against Delhi Giants were crushed by six wickets.

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